Steppenwolf Young Adult Council

# Steppenwolf Young Adult Council Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the ensemble theater famous for launching generations of American actors, runs the Young Adult Council as its flagship teen program. Each year a council of 30 high school students from across the Chicagoland area comes together weekly at the theater's Arts and Education Center to learn how a professional arts organization operates from the inside. ## What You'll Do - Meet weekly at Steppenwolf with a cohort of 30 teens from across Chicagoland - Attend more than 30 plays throughout Chicago each season at no cost - Take workshops with leading professional theater artists - Collaborate as an ensemble to curate and host teen nights at Steppenwolf - Access paid community engagement and leadership opportunities beyond the weekly meetings ## Who Should Apply High school students in the Chicago area who are serious about theater - as performers, writers, designers, critics, or future arts leaders. The application includes a peer recommendation from another teen and a professional recommendation from an adult such as a teacher or mentor. Applications for the 2026/27 council were due April 24, 2026; the next cycle typically opens in spring. ## Outcomes Council members graduate with an insider's understanding of professional theater operations, a season's worth of performances and workshops, and a network of Chicago theater artists. The council is free to join, with travel stipends available, and members can apply for multiple paid opportunities at the theater - a rare early resume credit at one of America's most celebrated regional theaters.