Fountain Voices
An Arts Education Collaboration with The Fountain Theatre & youth of the greater Los Angeles community
ABOUT FOUNTAIN VOICES
Fountain Voices is a community-driven storytelling initiative that empowers young people to examine urgent social and community issues through theatre, oral history, and civic engagement. Bringing together youth, teaching artists, nonprofit partners, and community members, the program transforms lived experience into original performance work that sparks dialogue and builds community connection.
As part of our Fountain for Youth educational programming, Fountain Voices centers collaboration and creative expression, encouraging participants to engage directly with the people and stories shaping Los Angeles today. Through interviews, volunteerism, reflection, and devised theatre, students learn to see themselves not only as artists, but as active participants in community healing and change.
APPLY TO FOUNTAIN VOICES
Applications for the Summer 2026 Fountain Voices Residency are NOW EXTENDED through June 8th, 2026. Any young person aged 14-18 is eligible to apply. All program information can be found in the required application form below.
SUPPORT FOUNTAIN VOICES
MORE THAN JUST A SUMMER PROGRAM
The 2026 Fountain Voices Summer Residency will focus on the lasting impact of the Eaton Fire and the ongoing work of recovery and resilience across affected Los Angeles communities. Guided by professional teaching artists and community partners, participants will engage directly with individuals and organizations responding to the aftermath of the fires while exploring storytelling and activism through devised theatre practices.
Throughout the program, participants will conduct interviews, reflect on personal and community experiences, and transform these stories into an original theatrical work rooted in lived experience. The residency will culminate in public performances and community conversations that amplify underrepresented voices and foster empathy and connection through the arts.
For many participants, Fountain Voices is more than a summer program: it is a rare opportunity to feel heard, valued, and connected to a larger community while using creativity to process urgent issues affecting their lives and neighborhoods.
HELP US RAISE $20,000
To conduct the 2026 Summer Residency, we must raise $20,000 by July 1st.
These funds are needed to cover teaching artist pay, programmatic and production costs, and honoraria to the student participants. Unlike typical summer arts programs where families are required to pay upwards of $500 a week, Fountain Voices actually pays students a weekly $100 stipend and provides students with the opportunity to complete community service hours (a graduation requirement) for their commitment and participation.
With your support, we can provide these young people with something essential: a space to be seen, heard, and connected. Through storytelling and performance, participants learn that their voices have power and that they can effect change.
EVERY GIFT MATTERS
Whether you can give $10 or $10,000, every donation gets us closer to our goal.
$10,000 will . . . pay for the entire classroom & devising portion of the program!
$5000 will . . . cover student honoraria stipends!
$2500 will . . . pay for stage manager and designer fees!
$1000 will . . . cover the costume, prop, & design budget!
$500 will . . . provide a daily healthy snack for all participants!
$250 will . . . provide transportation stipends for those in need!
$100 will . . . pay for all of our classroom supplies!
$50 will . . . cover 1 hour of Teaching Artist pay!
To show our appreciation, we have created special donor perks at each level. From complimentary tickets to an autographed poster to an opportunity to include material in the play, we want you to know you’re a vital part of this process!