You are invited to the South Burlington Public Library auditorium on Thursday, April 28th from 6:30-8:30 for a screening of the Listen Up film. The film is 90 minutes long and will conclude with a 30-minute Q & A with cast and staff of the project.
Listen Up was an original musical based on the lives of Vermont teenagers. With over 800+ interviews and archived material, a script was written, scored and performed by 25 Vermont teenagers during the summer of 2021. It documents issues that are important to our young adults like mental health, racial equity, gender identity, gun violence and lockdowns, immigration, climate change, youth voice, sense of belonging, academic stressors, covid-19 and social isolation, dating, friendship, family challenges, foster care, social media, drugs and alcohol, community care and resilience.
The Listen Up Musical was filmed live at Shelburne Museum by a team of seven camera operators, nine cameras, and a drone. It was amazing, but don't take my word for it, take theirs...
"I was absolutely blown away by the insights and wisdom of our youth, and the frank exploration of the lived experiences and emotional roller coaster ride called adolescence that Listen Up provided me. Most importantly, the musical effectively catalyzes the important conversations teens, their parents, school mentors, and communities need to be having about the complex issues facing teens, society, and the planet today." - Mark Levine, Vermont Health Commissioner
"It is so important to acknowledge the reality that young people face…and to give them a platform to imagine a better world and the role they play in it. Art can be so much more liberating and empowering than politics." - Peter Welch, U.S. Congressman
"As a legislator, as a mom of a teen and a tween, as a former teacher, I have a better understanding of my state and my community after seeing this show. It's a roadmap for what we need to get done together to serve the youth of our state. Attending a performance of the Listen Up Project was one of the highlights of my summer. These kids brought their hearts and their stories to the stage. They were so raw and so real with all of us in the audience. " - Rebecca Balint, Senate President Pro Tempore
"I am so proud of this amazing production. Listening to one another to understand complex stories is what is going to make the changes that youth want in their lives!" - Taylor Small, Vermont Legislator
"Listen Up is young people expressing their purest and truest emotions. It is so exciting to see!"- Kesha Ram, Vermont Senator
"A thoughtful, high energy and professional production—compelling and honest." - The Bridge, Montpelier VT
Hope to see you there! Please visit listenupvt.org to learn more.
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