2025 Keen Teens Auditions
Keen Teens is a FREE performance opportunity for high school students, created by the Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company! Teens work with professional playwrights, directors, designers, and technicians to rehearse and premiere three new one-act plays Off-Broadway. The program auditions students from all five boroughs of NYC and accepts 30+ each year!
Join the Program
Auditions are open to all high school students in the NYC area in grades 9-12. This program is perfect for all teens who are interested in learning more about theater — no experience necessary! Rehearsals will begin February 10, 2025 and culminate in the Keen Teens Festival of New Work on May 16-18, 2025. All auditions, rehearsals, and performances will take place at Theatre Row on 42nd Street & 9th Avenue in midtown Manhattan. ASL interpretation services can be provided upon request.
About Auditions
When: Auditions for the 2025 Keen Teens program will take place on January 27-29, 2025. Teens can sign-up for one of the following slots: Monday, January 27 at 4:15pm or 5:45pm; Tuesday, January 28 at 4:15pm or 5:45pm; or Wednesday, January 29 at 4:15pm or 5:45pm.
Where: In-person auditions take place at Theatre Row Studios, 411 W. 41st Street, in Manhattan. See on Google Maps.
What: Keen will provide you with a few short speeches, and you’ll choose the one you’d like to use as your audition piece. The speeches are available here and do not need to be memorized. At the in-person audition, you’ll be guided through games, warm-ups, and audition techniques in a small group. Then everyone will perform their speeches individually in a relaxed low-key environment. (It will be fun!)
How: Click here to schedule an audition slot and learn more about the audition process.
Important Program Dates
Weekly Rehearsals: Teens will rehearse once a week beginning February 10, 2025. Rehearsals are either Tuesdays, or Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 4:30-7pm, depending on which show you are cast in.
Saturday Rehearsals: Added Saturday rehearsals are March 29 at 11-2pm, April 5 at 11-2pm, April 26 at 11-4:30pm, and May 3 at 11-2pm.
Final Week: Students will also rehearse every day after school on May 12-16, as this is the final week of the program leading-up to performances.
*A serious time commitment is required as this is a collaborative experience. Please make sure you are available for the rehearsal process as well as the full week of performances.
Questions?
Want to participate but can’t make the auditions? Interested in directing, designing, stage managing, or house managing? Curious about the content of the plays? Looking for more information about accessible options? Email your questions to carrie@keencompany.org, call or text the Keen Teens Hotline at 646-535-0266.
