Our Programs
Summer Programs
SPEAK*Teens will run again July 15-26, 2024 in Asheville, NC.
SPEAK*Teens (formerly SPEAK*Girls) is our flagship two-week program, running yearly since its inception in 2018.
At the core of all SPEAK* programs is our unique combination of circle work and prompt-based arts activities. Facilitators give participants self-exploratory prompts to work on throughout the program day, in mediums including writing, movement, visual art, music, or any combination of those.
Each SPEAK* program culminates in a public performance of this original autobiographical storytelling, created by the group. After a week of creating, participants and facilitators sort through all created content to piece together a cohesive theater piece of self expression and empowerment; this allows participants to take the stage and gain confidence in their voice at a whole new level.
Past Programs
SPEAK*Teens 2023
SPEAK*Teens ran from July 24 - August 4, 2023 in Asheville, NC! When we embarked on a mission to expand our programs in 2023, we found open arms welcoming us to Asheville. Although it was a small group, we are so proud of our first program in this new location; the three teens nearly sold out our performance at the Weaverville Community Center.
SPEAK*Teens 2022
SPEAK*Teens ran from June 20 - July 1, 2022. We came back together for our first in-person program in our traditional format since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we spread our wings for our first year independent from Capital Fringe. The teens performed at the Barcroft Community House in Arlington, VA to a packed house.
SPEAK*Outside 2021
We believe that what we have offered to teenage girls is a longing for all of us and we were ready to experiment with a six-day community living experience for all ages. We gathered together in Abrams Creek, WV for a celebration, a sharing of knowledge, a time to laugh and cry and play and create together, a time to feast and to rest, as well as to dig deep and give our best.
SPEAK*Girls 2020
SPEAK*Girls 2020 was modified to a virtual program that ran from July 13-17, 2020.
Like the rest of the world, we adapted to seeing each other on Zoom and made the most of our short amount of time together to keep creating.
We hope to see everybody together again in 2021!
SPEAK*Girls 2019
SPEAK*Girls 2019 ran from July 8-21, 2019. This year's performances in the Capital Fringe Festival were held at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Southwest DC for the second year. DC Metro Theatre Arts says....
The true critic of this year’s second annual SPEAK*Girls Presents is a thirteen-year-old young woman, who shared at the rousing end of this year’s production, “I’m hard to impress, and I loved it.”
SPEAK*Girls 2018
SPEAK* Girls 2018 ran from July 9-22, 2018.
The program's first year in its current rendition, six participants were welcomed to the Capital Fringe Festival stage at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in their show titled “Almost Full: A Young Woman’s Guide to Growing Up.” DC Metro Theatre Arts says....
Far from being merely a recital from a summer retreat, "Almost Full: A Young Woman’s Guide to Growing Up" turned out to be the sort of show that leaves one happier and more hopeful than when one went in.
SPEAK* “Appetizer” 2018
In the middle of SPEAK*Girls 2018, our facilitators ran a free 2-hour “SPEAK* Appetizer” workshop for family and friends of our participants who wanted to see for themselves what we’re all about.
“Today brought an appreciation of myself for bringing my daughter to this amazing opportunity. It’s a lot of the tools I want to give her in life, and as a mom it’s really hard, so I appreciate that I did something right and brought her back to SPEAK*.” -Francine, parent
GRRRLs with HEART 2017
SPEAK*Girls as it exists today began with an experiment, that was GRRRLs with HEART 2017. The small program of 5 girls was given a platform in the Capital Fringe Festival, and from its success came a desire to grow SPEAK*.
The program ran from July 10-23, 2017.