2023 Keen Teens Festival of New Work
Featuring world premiere one-acts by C. Julian Jiménez, Rona Siddiqui, and writing team Daniel Carlton and Nambi E. Kelley
May 19—21, 2023
Our 2023 Festival will feature an all-star cast of New York City high schoolers in two newly-commissioned plays and a musical:
Buck Stars by C. Julian Jiménez
Kirdle & Miffins: Curiosity Saved the Cats by Rona Siddiqui
Hidden Inside by Nambi E. Kelley and Daniel Carlton
Run Time: The Keen Teens Festival of New work runs approximately 90 minutes without an intermission. All three plays will be presented at every performance.
About Keen Teens
Keen Teens is a unique educational program from the award-winning Off-Broadway theater, Keen Company. This free program for teens provides invaluable mentorship opportunities: working alongside professional writers, directors, and designers to rehearse and premiere new plays. By commissioning one-acts specifically designed for the high school stage, Keen Teens creates work that speaks to teens on their level, presenting a perspective which is as complex and multilayered as the students themselves. The 12-week program culminates in the Off-Broadway premiere of each new piece during the Keen Teens Festival of New Work at Theatre Row, and the subsequent publishing and licensing by Concord Theatricals.
Keen Teens is made possible through the generous support of The Axe-Houghton Foundation, The Marta Heflin Foundation, and our Keen Teens Ambassadors like you!
Performance Venue
Theater One in Theatre Row
410 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Between 9th & 10th Ave
Show Schedule
Friday, May 19 at 8pm
Saturday, May 20 at 2pm
Saturday, May 20 at 8pm*
Sunday, May 21 at 2pm
*This performance will be interpreted in ASL (American Sign Langauge)
Content Warning
Keen Teens deals with modern teenage realities, including some strong language and social and cultural discussions. The 2023 plays include topics such as feelings of otherness and school shootings which may not be appropriate for all young audience members.
Explore the 2023 Keens Teens Festival of New Work
Buck Stars
By C. Julian Jiménez
Directed by Michelle Chan
When an unsheltered person walks into a chain coffeehouse, snap judgements abound, and customers and staff alike must wrestle with their own capacity for compassion while navigating their own personal traumas at the same time.
Starring Ellie Altebrando, Annahlyn Barrett, Mi’kayla Bracero, Dereck Diller, Xavier Gonzalez, Sunam Govind, Kyla Jones, Kaleb Joseph, Lesly Montano, and Bianca Vigilante
Assistant Director: Josie Harding
Assistant Stage Manager: Alex Church Gonzales
Kirdle & Miffins: Curiosity Saved the Cats
By Rona Siddiqui
Directed by Tom Costello
A celebration of curiosity and wonder, Kirdle & Miffins follows two lovable alley cats who are whisked from the tough city streets to cushy living room life. But what happens when they become so complacent that they don’t question those in power, even when trouble is afoot?
Starring Charlotte Coffey, Lily Daquigan, Joshua Garcia, Lily Giese, Leonardo Kettells, Isabella Lamacchia, Patience Lee Rodriguez, Raizel Keisha Moscardon, Beatrice Rimel, Angel Rodriguez, and Kiesse Yengo-Passy
Choreographer: Laura K. Nicoll
Music Director: Laurént G. Williams
Assistant Director: Bibiana Torres
Assistant Stage Managers: Sloane Fischer & Maggie Caradonna
Hidden Inside
By Nambi E. Kelley and Daniel Carlton
Directed by Christopher Burris
A novice student teacher is put in charge of Saturday School for chronically late kids. But when a standard drill goes awry, the students are forced to honestly connect with each other, transcend high school archetypes, and reckon with their true identities.
Starring Sebastian Acosta, Jahsiah Augúste, Aicha Bathily, Serenity Facey, Karla Lazala, Cristina Lopez, Jonathan Morales, Nashmia Rahman, Justin Rivera, and Ruby Rodriguez Ronco
Assistant Director: Melody Munitz
Assistant Stage Manager: Craig Steeley Jr.
Festival Creative Team
Artistic Director: Celestine Rae
Keen Teens Associate: Ashley Scott
Set Designer: Indigo Shea
Costume Designer: Brittani Beresford
Lighting Designer: Alex DeNevers
Sound Designer: Jordana Abrenica
Production Stage Manager: Sloane Fischer
Production Manager: Savannah Sanchez