Many Voices
At Many Voices, youth gather together to start the process toward a production. First, they decide what it is they want to say or put out there in the world. What is important to them? What issues do they want to explore? What’s important to youth right now?
Issues often explored include: identity, pressures and expectations, relationships, friends, family, call and vocation, spirituality issues, body issues, school and the pressures of academics, sexuality, victories and defeats, alcohol and drugs, assumptions and realities, conflict and peacemaking, etc.
They develop a theme and the content for a production. Bill and Aimee Buchanan, Directors of Many Voices, write scripts based on the youth’s contributions and work with the youth to edit the scripts until they seem just right.
Then, the youth begin the process of producing the one act play–including song, drama, comedy, and even some stomping and rapping.
When the youth perform, part of the show includes intentional conversation with the audience about the issues raised in the show. The productions always ask more questions than they give answers. They always provide more pictures for the audience to interpret and think about, than they provide a lecture to learn. Audience and cast enter into a conversation about what they have experienced together in any given show.
Directors Bill and Aimee Buchanan have been writing, directing, and producing original stage performances by and for youth for over 20 years. From camp dining halls to the largest indoor theater in America (The Hall of Music at Purdue University) Aimee and Bill have strived to share the real issues of teen life with young people and with the community.
Many Voices came into being in 2010 with their debut production of The Strength In Me, a show about the secret lives of teen-aged girls. The show received rave reviews from both youth and adults, and set Many Voices on a path of growing popularity in the Asheville area.
In 2011 Many Voices created its second original show, Behind The Scenes. With a cast of 10 senior high guys and girls, this show went even deeper into the issues teens face every day. Covering topics like drug use, labeling, pressure to succeed, eating disorders, and dysfunctional families, Many Voices challenged audiences to look past the surface of youth and to discover the common threads we all share.
Now Many Voices is set to begin its third season. Applications for the cast are available now, and we are currently accepting offers for spring tour opportunities! In the Spring of 2012 Many Voices began touring. Beginning their tour season with shows at Asheville High School, Many Voices then traveled to Chapel Hill, NC and Washington DC. Youth, parents, and other adults from the community were blown away, not only by what Many Voices had to say, but also the professionalism of the production and the cast in saying it.
Download the application packet now!
“Many Voices really touches on teen topics that go on in my high school and in every day life. It really hit home for me and helped me understand the issues better.” – Alyssa Oppewal, 11th grade
“Many Voices was not only a fun, energetic group of teenagers but also a talented and engaging group of actors. I would definitely recommend any Many Voices production to my friends.” – Christina Annas, 12th grade
“The Many Voices cast made real issues come to life in a meaningful and sometimes hilarious show. A must see!” – Deirdre Curran, 12th grade
“Many Voices is a traveling show like no other. Every teenager should see their work. They make it easy to begin talking about tough issues and provide teachable moments for youth and adults alike. The actors are mature for their age and show that they truly have fun as they help other youth address issues that are happening in their schools and lives each day.” –Kim McNeill
