Near West Theatre is excited to share a paid opportunity for students ages 15–19: SOAR!, our theatre-based youth leadership initiative designed for teens who are ready to grow as creative leaders behind the scenes. SOAR! is a hands-on creative summer apprenticeship where students work alongside professional directors, designers, and technicians from the Greater Cleveland area. Participants have the opportunity to explore areas like stage management, scenic and costume design, lighting and sound, production support, and artistic collaboration. Applications are *now open* for SOAR! Summer 2026 and close on *March 13, 2026*. The application process is simple. Students only need to submit ONE of the following: a resume, short essay, or video. We also have a checklist resource with submission examples for you students to use as a resource as well as submission examples on our website. We would be so grateful if you would consider sharing this opportunity with students, arts educators, counselors, or families who may be interested. Below are links to SOAR! Flyers to share with students - Full-color printable version <https://www.nearwesttheatre.org/files/resources/colorsoarschoolflyer.pdf> - Black-and-white printable version <https://www.nearwesttheatre.org/files/resources/bwsoarschoolflyer.pdf> - Digital file for email newsletters, websites, or social medi <https://www.nearwesttheatre.org/files/resources/digitalsoarschoolflyer.pdf> a Near West Theatre is committed to accessibility and inclusion, and we encourage students from all backgrounds and experience levels to apply. No prior leadership experience is required. If you have any questions or would like to connect about bringing SOAR! to your students, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can find more information and apply to SOAR! here <https://www.nearwesttheatre.org/education/soar>. *B**est Regards,* *Michael Stein * *Production & Rentals Manager* www.nearwesttheatre.org