Girlstories Leadership Theatre is a year-long creative leadership program for middle school girls (6th-8th grade) living in Hillsborough County that empowers participants to tell their own true stories through original theatre.

In this program, girls build practical theatre skills while developing confidence, communication, collaboration, and creative leadership. Participants explore every aspect of the theatrical process including acting, playwriting, directing, stage management, costume and prop design, and rehearsal techniques–all within a safe, brave, youth-voice centered environment.

Unlike traditional theatre programs that focus on performing scripts written by others, Girlstories invites participants to create work inspired by their own true stories. In this way, girls learn how to express themselves authentically, listen deeply to others, navigate collaboration (and conflict, as it arises), and contribute to a creative community where every voice matters.

The program culminates in a public performance written, directed, designed, and performed by the girls themselves.

Why Girlstories?

Girls today are navigating enormous social pressures while often receiving fewer opportunities to practice authentic self-expression, creative leadership, and face-to-face collaboration.

Girlstories Leadership Theatre addresses this need by creating a youth-centered creative environment where participants build confidence, communication skills, emotional intelligence, and leadership capacity through the collaborative process of creating theatre.

Rather than asking young people to fit themselves into existing narratives, Girlstories empowers participants to share their own true stories. Additionally, participants are encouraged to take creative risks, share their ideas, support one another, and explore storytelling as a tool for connection and self-expression. 

At Girlstories, the goal is not perfection.

The goal is confidence, courage, creativity, and community.

What Caregivers Can Expect

Girlstories Leadership Theatre helps girls develop:

• confidence in speaking and self-expression
• collaboration and teamwork skills
• creative problem-solving abilities
• leadership and communication skills
• empathy and listening skills
• resilience through the creative process
• practical theatrical knowledge and performance experience

Our program is designed to create a supportive, welcoming environment where participants are encouraged to take creative risks, share ideas, and grow both artistically and personally.