Youth Underground (YU) is Central Square Theater’s resident youth ensemble that creates and performs original theater and events addressing social issues relevant to young people and our world. In the spring each year, YU members select a specific topic to explore, then spend the year using investigative theater to collect stories, share diverse perspectives with the community, and spark dialogue about important issues. 

The investigation of the topic begins in the Summer. Throughout a 6-week intensive, in collaboration with the Cambridge Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP), students work with a professional playwright and director to research, write, and perform a new play based on the selected social justice theme. The summer program culminates with a Staged Reading of the new play for the community.

During the academic year, YU consists of two ensembles: the Delegates (ages 13-18) and the Ambassadors (ages 19-25). The Ambassadors focus on further developing and rehearsing the play from the summer, while the Delegates use devising and playwriting techniques to create an additional play that explores the same theme. This cycle culminates in early May at the Youth Underground Festival, which features performances from both ensembles, along with workshops, community conversations, and other supporting activities.