VOH Summer Youth Program - Voices of Hope

Voices of Hope: Summer Youth Program

Voices of Hope Summer Youth offers all students a positive and creative space to grow and explore. Our goal is to foster community engagement with the arts and philanthropy. Nowhere else will students work on a show that has the impact that our show does: Working to rid the world of cancer.

Arts Education...Exercise for your brain.

A growing body of research supports the fact that arts education not only makes students more creative thinkers, but it also has a positive impact on overall academic achievement. Arts education helps students build confidence, social and emotional intelligence and complex problem-solving skills, all of which prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century workplace.

Our program reinforces teamwork and personal best performance. It is a way of preserving, interpreting, understanding and challenging a culture. Our program builds skills in that vital area for a child’s well being.

I hope that your child can join us for a well rounded summer of theater, music, dance and many other skills along with just having fun while helping others.

2026 Summer Program Details

The 2026 Voices of Hope Summer Youth Program registration is now closed as we have SOLD OUT!

Please email diane.meehan@gmail.com to be added to the waitlist.

This summer, we are heading way down to HADESTOWN – mark your calendars now for our performances August 7 – 9, 2026!

Now in its 1oth year, the VOH Summer Youth Program (SYP) offers students in grades 6– 12 a positive and creative space to grow and explore theatrical skills, while also learning the value of philanthropy. The professional teaching staff engage students in all aspects of theatrical performance, culminating in a live production and the pride of knowing the work they do makes a difference and contributes to our mission of a cancer-free world.

“Nowhere else will students participate in a theatrical production that has this impact–working to create a cancer-free world!” says Greg Chastain, VOH founder and president.

This unique educational program launched in 2017 as a collaboration with Acting Out theater in Lawrence and has evolved into an annual independently run, five-week summer theater program, supported by student interns and a staff of certified teachers and seasoned theater professionals. The 2023 & 2024 productions contributed close to $38,000 to VOH’s annual donation to the Mass General Cancer Center, as well as featured live performances on WBZ with Levan Reid, and the Boston Celtics half-time show on Cancer Awareness Night.

Keep the weekend of August 7-9 open to enjoy this performance! Ticket sales support cancer research and this fabulous group of talented, hardworking kids who are working together to make cancer history one song at a time.

TESTIMONIALS:

Ian Milner (Student): Voice of Hope is a great program. It helps me to get my mind off of things by performing but it also makes me feel good because I know that I am saving lives by doing what I love. Everyone in that program is so supportive and kind and I will keep working with them.

Ava DeSario (Student): It’s comforting knowing that the time I spend enjoying rehearsals will help someone in need fight a little harder. VOH also reminds us that they care about our stories too… We hear that we are not alone, and we know that we are heard. From teaching us to sing and dance, to standing beside us while we tell our stories… Voices of Hope always wants the best for us.

Lisa Lovett (parent): “My daughter has grown as a performer, made wonderful friends, and most importantly has been part of something so much bigger than any one of us. To do something you love knowing it is helping others is a special gift.”

Zoey Jasmin (student): “The Summer Youth Program is something I look forward to every year – not just because I get to perform, but because I have the privilege to perform for such an amazing cause with amazing people and the best support system. There’s nowhere else I’d rather spend my summers.

About the VOH Summer Youth Program

The VOH Summer Youth Program ensemble is a collaborative of state certified teachers, philanthropist and medical professionals as well talented actors, writers, musicians and performers who are committed to offering inventive, engaging and thoughtful productions to our community.

We plan to offer offer an in-person, LIVE theater experience. Led by our professional teachers, the program will be designed to feature each student, improve theater skills, respect Covid guidelines, AND give our kids a live theater opportunity. Our primary program will focus on students in grades 6 -12, but of course will include an opportunity for our Rising Stars (ages 4-9).

We will also offer 1 day Workshops that will focus on other skills from our outstanding array of guest speakers including medical professionals, philanthropists, folks from the entertainment industry and many more.