A highlight of my time with National Queer Theater was getting to engage directly with the next generation of artists, queer youth, and individuals curious about how art and advocacy intersect. Alongside my co-interns, I tabled for NQT at the New York Public Library Teen Voices Festival, an event that drew in teens from across the city and of diverse economic and cultural backgrounds. What struck me most in these conversations was the range of perspectives and aspirations the teens brought to the table. Some were already committed to pursuing theatre or visual art, eager to hear about opportunities and the pathways we had taken to get where we were. Others were there out of curiosity, interested in learning how art could become a vehicle for social change, even if they hadn’t yet seen themselves as artists. In both cases, the festival created a space where they could ask questions freely, imagine possibilities, and see themselves reflected in organizations like NQT that center queer and marginalized voices.

For me, the experience was a reminder that theatre is not only about the present moment, but also about building a future. By showing up at festivals like this one, NQT makes visible the idea that young people, especially those still searching for a place to belong, have a place in the arts and in advocacy. Being able to share that message firsthand, and to watch teens light up when they saw our table, made me feel like I was contributing to something larger: the nurturing of a generation that will carry on the work of telling bold and necessary stories!