Teen-Versionary was created as a unique performance experience for LGBTQIA+ and allied teens who create a brave and safe space to creatively collaborate on a new scripted play or text that explores queer themes, issues, and experiences. This program is made free of charge to all participating teens thanks to the generous support of our donors and sponsors.
This year’s performance fused the queer youth experience with movement, music and more to create a new show that was performed as part of the 2023 San Diego Pride Festival. All performances were free and took place at Diversionary Theatre.
When shame pushes you back into the closet, how do you find your way out? Escape expectations and allow yourself to be at this year’s TeenVersionary show Slay Time Continuum. Take a journey through time and slay to remember: there’s no shame in being yourself!
Diversionary Theatre presents Teenversionary 2024, Step Into Your Power! This year’s TeenVersionary program shares its theme with San Diego Pride: Making History Now. We are calling all LGBTQIA+ teens and allied teens to collaborate on a new piece of theatre. We will explore queer themes and issues specifically illuminating youth experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community. This new piece of theatre infuses queer youth experience shared by participants with movement, music and more. This show will be performed as part of the 2024 San Diego Pride Festival.
Amira Temple (Director) Amira is a theater practitioner and teacher interested in using the arts as a tool for discovery, connection, healing, and self- actualization. Her work balances honoring the past while heading towards the future, and has a strong focus on community, self- advocacy, and joy. Amira currently works as a teaching artist with Diversionary, Imagine Brave Spaces, and The Old Globe. She has also worked with Backyard Renaissance, Oceanside Theatre Company, Loud Fridge, Prague Shakespeare Company, and more as an actor and director. She is excited to be directing for Teen-versionary this year and is looking forward to collaborating with other incredible professional and youth artists to create an original piece for the community to enjoy!
Dean Vicedo (Teaching Artist Intern) Dean is currently in his second year in SDSU’s Graduate Theatre Arts program. He is an educator, researcher, and dramaturg who strives to exemplify the power of the Queer BIPOC community through theatre and the arts. Recently, he served as a dramaturg for the new musical, In a Sunshine State, at SDSU and will be working on a newly devised piece in the fall. Dean is looking forward to more dramaturgical and teaching artist opportunities around San Diego!
Brenna Hughbanks (Stage Manager) Brenna Hughbanks just graduated as the Outstanding Undergraduate in the Theatre Arts at San Diego State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on Youth Theatre. She found her passion for youth theatre work with Camp Bravo, a summer camp where she began as a camper and now works as a counselor. Some of her previous work includes: the 2024 program of Stonewall Salon here at Diversionary (stage manager and technician); a devised DocuTheatre piece, Intersections/Revolution: A Conversation On Queerness and Color at San Diego State University (collaborator and stage manager); a concert musical of Children of Eden at San Diego State University (assistant stage manager); and a production of the musical Freaky Friday at MiraCosta College (assistant stage manager). She is excited to be a part of this year’s Teen-Versionary program!
Calling all Queer teens interested in learning theatre skills and exploring their unique perspectives through storytelling. Teen-Versionary is a three week process rooted in collaborative theatre techniques. The ensemble will dive into a fast-paced “Devised Theatre” process that fuses language, movement, and music to create a brand new play. This unique experience is a special opportunity to meet and create art with fellow Queer and Allied teens from across San Diego! Alongside your creative peers and under the guidance of a professional artistic team, this ensemble will perform as part of the San Diego Pride Festival.
Teen-Versionary has been rocking since 2015. This year we will dive into a process that fuses selections from queer stories, movement, and music. Teens interested in Tech/ crew are also welcome!
All teens ages 13-19 who are eager to be part of something special are encouraged to apply to join Diversionary Theatre’s LGBTQIA+Allied ensemble! Because of the advanced timeline of our productions, some theatrical experience is a plus, but not required.
Thanks for giving yourself the gift of community and creativity. We look forward to connecting with you!
An Actors’ Equity Association member with an M.A. in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University and a B.A. in Theatre Performance; graduate of the MCIT Acting Studio. San Diego State University Graduate Program in Musical Theatre candidate come fall of 2022. Past credits include: Light Years Away (La Jolla Playhouse), Oh! Wondrous Night (SeaWorld), Full Monty (SDSU), and A Semicolon is a Double (Scripps Ranch Theatre). Directing credits include: Kasama (Southwestern College), Potion (Moxie Theatre), and School of Rock (Junior Theatre). Choreographer credits include: Hunchback of Notre Dame (Junior Theatre), Lion King Jr. (Young Actors Theatre), Shrek (Our Lady of Peace Academy), and Hall Pass (Blindspot Collective). Wilfred is an Adjunct Professor at Grossmont College and Southwestern College. Wilfred directed the 2022 TeenVersionary program. Listen to Wilfred on Spotify featured in the original cast recording of The Things We Never Say written by Thomas Hodges.
Fill out this form with any questions or comments you may have and Diversionary Theatre’s Director of Education and Community Engagement, Wilfred Paloma, will be in touch with you shortly.
Alternatively, you can call us at
(619) 220-0097 x 109.
Arts Education is thriving at Diversionary Theatre, and our programs spread the seeds of understanding and tolerance around our unique mission as the third oldest LGBTQIA+ theater in the country. Watch this video to learn more about each of our education programs.
By sharing LGBTQIA+ stories with our community we bring stories that need to be told, directly into people’s lives. We provide a safe place for all students, and we are excited to extend a lifeline to our LGBTQIA+ youth who may not have the support at home or at their school. We are giving people permission to be who they are, and for many this might be a life saving experience.
All of these programs are only made possible by the generous support of our donors and our community.