Seattle Rep’s Young Rep Program Presents ‘The Outsiders’

Seattle Rep’s Young Rep programs serves the region’s youth by providing theatrical training, exploration and engagement. There are a variety of offerings including classes, Next Narrative Monologue Competition and the Young Rep Production Intensive. The Production Intensive is currently putting on the Seattle Rep’s first all-youth production, “The Outsiders.” 

Deanna Martinez directed “The Outsiders” and also serves as the education and community programs director at Seattle Rep. She said that at the Rep they took a look at the theater landscape in Seattle and noticed “a real gap in the industry in terms of training, and the gap in the Seattle market in particulate was the road to professionalism.” The Production Intensive helps fill that gap and gives participants a path toward professional theater, not to mention invaluable connections, professional experience and a slew of life skills. 

The Rep’s first all-youth production, “The Outsiders” 

“The Outsiders” is a coming-of-age story about empathy, found family and holding on to your sense of self in a world that’s trying to harden you. It follows Ponyboy, a thoughtful teen growing up on the rougher side of town as part of the Greasers, a group constantly at odds with the wealthier Socs. When a late-night fight leaves a Soc dead, Ponyboy and his friend Johnny are forced to go on the run, setting off a chain of events that pushes them to confront violence, loyalty and the kind of choices that shape who you become. 

Martinez said this play was chosen because it is all about youth, and the author was only 16 years old when she wrote the novel the play is based on. Young Rep wants to lift up the voices and experiences of teens, and Martinez wants to make sure program participants know, “You are valued. You are wanted, and we believe in you and your voice, we want to hear it. We chose ‘The Outsiders’ as the first show to produce because it was written by a teenager and I want to do youth theater that is about youth. We are interested in young voices and their perspective. Your voice matters.” 

The fact that this was an all-youth production allowed the participants (cast and creatives) to be involved in a deeper way than many of them had experienced in previous shows. I was lucky enough to speak with five youth participating in “The Outsiders”: Jazlynne Aldama, Ella Campanario, Anton Mooney, Noah Simpson and Elise Andrew. 

“A lot of the time as youth in educational programs you don’t get a chance to voice your opinions, but that’s not the case here,” said Campanario. “I always felt like I could always say what I was feeling and I felt valuable not just as an actor, but as a person with an opinion.” 

Simpson agreed, and said, “It’s really cool how involved we get to be. It’s a lot more collaborative and involved, we all get to show ourselves in this play.” 

The cast members were all youth ages 13–20, and they did an exceptional job. This is an emotional play which demands a lot from these young actors, and they deliver. There is also some impressive fight choreography which included some pretty convincing punches (enough to elicit a pained groan from the audience more than once). 

What parents need to know about “The Outsiders” 

The play is recommended for kids ages 10 and older, and I would agree. The play is about two hours long, with one 20-minute intermission. If you have children who are interested in theater, I would highly recommend taking them to this production. Watching teens perform in a professional setting is bound to be inspiring. Who knows, they may audition for a Young Rep production in the future! 

There is nothing inappropriate in this show, but several fights, deaths, smoking and a shooting are depicted, though nothing is graphic. Kids need to be able to handle some emotional intensity, and domestic violence is talked about, though not shown. 

The Young Rep Programs 

The cast members all had their own path that led them to the Young Rep. “I found out about this program from my mom. She is the person who pushes me to try new things in theater,” said Simpson. He liked that the program would give him experience in the world of professional theater, since he wants to continue pursuing theater in college. 

Campanario, a college freshman, said “Being able to come into this as an education opportunity when I’m kind of in between – not really a kid, not really in professional theater yet – was really helpful and has opened a lot of doors. In every way it’s pushed me to be better at my craft.” 

Andrew, who is the show’s assistant stage manager, echoed Campanario’s feelings and said she is also “one of those people drifting between the youth to professional pipeline. This has been a really great learning opportunity.” 

While it’s probably not a surprise the participants develop all kinds of theater skills and professional development, the lessons from this program go well beyond the stage. “Being a stage manager, you gotta be very organized, very time efficient and on top of everything and very communicative with the people you’re working with,” said Andrew. 

“It’s taught me how much we all rely on each other and how you really have to take accountability for yourself,” said Simpson. “Productions are one big machine where every single cog has to be in place, which is true for a lot of things in life. If you slack off on your part it affects a lot of other people, so it’s taught me to be a lot more present and disciplined.” 

These skills and experiences can have profound personal impacts as well. “To take on a larger part in this show has been transformative for me, especially confidence wise. I’ve become a lot more confident in my skills as an actor, and just in myself,” said Campanario. After getting some positive feedback from Martinez, she went home and said, to herself “’Oh my God, I’m proud of myself.’ And I don’t think I’ve ever said that to myself. I’m proud of myself for that.” 

Is auditioning for a play a little intimidating? Of course! But all the youth I talked to had nothing but encouragement for anyone thinking about getting involved. “I would say just do it,” said Mooney. “It teaches you not only acting, but life skills on how to do your job and trust others to do theirs. Working with any team, no matter what you’re doing, you all have to work together. So it teaches you good life skills, and it’s a gateway to professional acting.” 

Aldama encourages folks to “come ready to learn with an open mind. When you come here there is so much to learn and so much new information.” 

And that fear of failing or making a mistake? Simpson and Campanario both see that as part of the process and an opportunity to learn and grow. 

“Don’t be afraid to fail. A really big part about learning how to be an actor is learning what not to do, what doesn’t work for you,” said Simpson. “You have to fully put yourself out there and not be afraid something will go wrong. That’s just part of life.” 

“Take the opportunity and become a sponge,” said Campanario. “Absorb all the information you can, ask questions, be curious and be a little forgiving with yourself. I was so scared to make mistakes, but making mistakes is how you learn. Understand that you are new and learning and it’s ok and people around you will understand.” 

You can learn more about the Youth Rep program and how to get involved on the Seattle Rep website.