Rainbow Youth Project Storytelling Series at the Vancouver Library
byThe Rainbow Youth Project is the 14th edition of Zee Zee Theatre’s annual community storytelling initiative. It is designed to challenge stereotypes and preconceived notions of otherness, promote dialogue, reduce prejudices, and encourage understanding by connecting people who under normal circumstances might never meet.
The Rainbow Project is a low-barrier one-on-one project in which people share true stories from their lives. It centres the 2SLGBTQ+ voices who often don’t get a say in their lives, bodies and identities.
Rainbow Youth Project
- Dates: November 16-17, 23-24, 2024, daily 1:00pm to 4:00pm
- Location: VPL Central Branch (350 W Georgia St, Vancouver)
- Admission: Free! No advance booking is required.
How it Works
Participants can meet at the Vancouver Public Library’s central branch in Downtown Vancouver to sit in on these storytelling sessions. Locate the sign up booth on the third floor where you can then select the story – based on title alone – that intrigues you.
Storytelling sessions are 20 minutes long, and will be in small groups with you, the storyteller, and an active listener to support the youth sharing their story. Depending on how busy the event is, you may be able to sign up for multiple sessions with different storytellers.
Once the storyteller has completed their story, there may be time for a short conversation to engage curiosity, empathy, and connection.
While the Rainbow Youth Project highlights perspectives distinctive from that of the audience member, an important reminder emerges at the end of these brief encounters, that despite our differences, a common ground can always be found.
“As we curate these stories, we also want the audience to be inspired, and to reflect on their own stories. We want participants to see how much we can learn from the next generation, and offer space to connect and empower each other,” says Project Producer, Yanting Qiu.
Everyone has a story worth sharing; and by taking the time to sit and listen intently, Zee Zee Theatre invites Vancouver to turn over a new page on their worldview. For more information follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
