Vermont teens tell their stories

PUTNEY - The “Listen Up” musical, an original musical based on the lives of Vermont teens, will be performed Tuesday, August 10, and Wednesday, August 11, at Landmark College.
Created and performed by Vermont teens, the show will go to the heart of current youth issues, including mental health, resilience, racial justice, sexual identity, friendship, love, family, community, and social justice. It also explores current issues that young people are grappling with, including COVID-19, climate change, and the future of the state for young people.  
The Listen Up Project began its creative process in the winter of 2019. Throughout that year, producer Bess O’Brien and her team traversed across Vermont to talk with more than 800 teens about issues important to them. O’Brien then assembled a production team and engaged with teen writers and songwriters to produce a script based on true stories from young people living throughout the state. Auditions were in March of 2020, with a goal of touring the show that fall. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the team to take a year-long pause.
Now, a year later, “Listen Up” is gearing up for an exciting tour with 16 teens from across the state in the cast. In addition, six teens comprise the backstage crew and three make up the live band.
Tickets prices are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The show contains mature themes. For more information and to order tickets go to listenupvt.org/tickets.