PRIDE FAQ

Positive Racial Identity Development & Empowerment Penumbra’s PRIDE program invites young people into a joyful and thoughtful creative process where storytelling, theater, arts, and dialogue are used as tools for connection, healing, and self-discovery. Our teaching artists support students to explore identity and belonging while building confidence in their voice and artistic expression.

We engage youth at developmentally critical stages with experiences that support growth and self-esteem, including:

  • Movement and somatic grounding practices that help students settle into their bodies, build awareness, and develop tools for emotional regulation and presence;
  • Storytelling and creative expression through writing, art, and performance as students explore identity, culture, memory, and lived experience;
  • Thoughtful dialogue and reflection that invite students to listen deeply, share their perspectives, and build language around identity, belonging, and community;
  • Collaborative ensemble work, where students learn to create together, honor each voice in the room, and shape a shared creative experience for the final community sharing

Registration Dates:
• Registration: Now through April 30, 2026
• Registration and Scholarship Confirmation: May 1, 2026

How to Apply:
• Immersion for Young Learners (Grades 3–5): Click here
• Institute for Teens (Grades 9–11): Click here

Program Dates:
• Family and Caregiver Orientation: May 13, 2026, 6pm to 8pm
• Immersion for Young Learners (Grades 3–5): June 22 – July 10, 2026
• Institute for Teens (Grades 9–11): June 22 – July 10, 2026

Location:
University of Minnesota
Rarig Center
330 21st Ave S.
Minneapolis, MN 55455|

Daily Schedule:
• Classes run Monday through Fri from 9:00am until 4:00pm
• Students must be committed to the entire program and cannot miss more than 3 full days of classes in order to participate.

Final Performances:
Students will participate in a celebratory final sharing during the last week of the program for families and community members. While students may present elements of the work they created, the emphasis is on celebrating their process, growth, and hard work rather than on performance. The gathering is a chance for the community to recognize the young people and what they’ve created together, and a call to action for the community to support the next generation of leaders..

Tuition and Scholarships:
• Tuition is $750.00. Tuition includes classes and registration.
• There is no fee for applying to PRIDE. No form of payment is required until you have been accepted into the program.
• Once you have been accepted into the program, tuition will be due at the parent/caregiver meeting on May 13, 2026 at 6pm. Payment must be submitted at that time in the form of cash, check, or credit card.
• Penumbra offers full or partial scholarships to students in need who meet scholarship requirements. In order to be considered for a scholarship you must complete the scholarship information at the end of the registration process.

Transportation and Food:
• Bus passes will be provided free of charge for students in need of transportation
• Snacks and lunches are provided on a daily basis

For questions or more information please contact us at youth@penumbratheatre.org.