REBEL VERSES Youth Arts Festival is a two-week festival celebrating new voices in the arts, featuring pieces created and performed by some of the best youth companies in NYC and beyond. Unlike any other theatre festival, REBEL VERSES empowers writers and performers ages 13-19 to present their own original work and to celebrate the work of their peers.

The festival, now in its second year of partnership between The Vineyard and Developing Artists, provides a platform for young artists to express themselves honestly and in an environment that recognizes the legitimacy of all stories and backgrounds. With a mission to journey into the unapologetic and unrestrained creativity of the next generation, REBEL VERSES values diverse stories ranging across age, sex, race, and time.

The 2018 Festival spans two weekends with six performances —

Week One Performances: August 9-11 at 7pm

Developing Artists Theater Company/Vineyard Theatre Student Ensemble
The Door
Alumni Theater Company

Guest Artists*:

8/9 – Daphne Rubin-Vega
8/10 – Flaco Navaja
8/11 – Kevin Mambo

Week Two Performances: August 16-18 at 7pm

Developing Artists Theater Company/Vineyard Theatre Student Ensemble
MCC Youth Company
Epic Next
6th Borough Slam

Guest Artists:

8/16 – Laura Gomez
8/17 – Brandon Victor Dixon
8/18 – Joe Morton

Rebel Verses encourages young artists to explore their unique voice. Some pieces deal with sex and violence, and some content may not be appropriate for audience members under age 13.

*Guest artists subject to change.

REBEL VERSES is made possible in part with public funds from Creative Engagement, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. LMCC.net Additional support is provided by the Miranda Family Fund of the Hispanic Federation and the NYC & Co. Foundation.

Education programs at The Vineyard are supported by grants from ConEdison, the Michael Tuch Foundation and the Tiger Baron Foundation.

Leadership support for Vineyard Theatre’s programs and productions is provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, the Howard Gilman Foundation, the Shubert Foundation, and our Board of Directors. Public funds are provided by The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and The New York State Council on the Arts. We gratefully acknowledge the support of so many other individuals and institutions in our community.