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INNOVATION

"What the Hilltown Youth Performing Arts Programs is doing is treating the youngest people in this rural community as emerging artists; and treating them as future activists, actors and activators, as future citizens and future leaders. It’s social. It’s economic. And I’d even say it’s spiritual."

—Matthew Glassman (Co-Artistic Director, Double Edge Theatre)

CREATIVITY

"Theater is not just about set building and acting, it's about world-making."

- Jonathan Diamond PhD (Director, Hilltown Youth Performing Arts Programs)

LEADERSHIP

"My children have found community here. Jonathan and the rest of the faculty are amazing. They’re raising leaders. And I love them all for that.”

——Natalie Picone-Louro (parent)

SUSTAINABILITY

" The world needs more spaces like this, and honestly so do I. The community holds itself together, and loves every single person it holds."

—Zach Arfa (age 18) Student-Faculty

Welcome to the
Hilltown Youth Recovery Theatre!

The Hilltown Youth Recovery Theatre is...

a strength-based, holistic model of recovery, creating change for area youth through theater and the arts. Hilltown Youth inspires transformative growth, teaches appreciation and stewardship of the natural environment, and challenges young people to build thriving, sustainable communities throughout their lives. We believe that the art our community makes can change the world. The ability to disrupt the ways that stigma and representation imprint and tattoo power upon people’s bodies allows for innovative and creative spaces where health and wellness can be performative, visual and inspiring in its approach. “Hilltown Youth changed theater for me," said 18-year-old board member Sam Picone-Louro. "They use their artistic platform to exceed social norms; as a nonbinary person of color, I learned how to be in my body without shame or guilt. Last summer was my first year in a full-blown leadership role, and it was something that 12-year-old Sam had always wanted, but never thought would come true.”

Founded in 2010, our innovative, year round AFTER SCHOOL theater enrichment programs and outdoor traveling SUMMER SPECTACLES are student-led not staff driven. Our mission is to build supportive, creative communities and put on great shows!

In 2015, in response to a statewide opioid crisis, we launched our newest initiative, the RECOVERY THEATRE, a circus and performing arts experience for young people overcoming trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression and other behavioral health challenges. It is a space where teens struggling with mental health issues are valued as artists not patients. Put simply, it is a home for anyone living with circumstances that present barriers to them becoming their fullest selves.