SPECIAL FILM: “Listen Up the Musical” Movie

This is a free event with an intro and talkback by filmmaker, Bess O’Brien—also with free popcorn! You do not need to reserve tickets.

Cheshire Medical Center and the Greater Monadnock Public Health Network invite community members for a free screening of Kingdom County Production’s “Listen Up Movie”  on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 6 pm at The Colonial Performing Arts Center’s SHOWROOM at 20 Commercial St. in Keene, New Hampshire. This is the filmed version of the original “Listen Up Musical” based on the lives of Vermont teens that toured live across Vermont during the summer of 2021.

Directing Producer Bess O’Brien, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and theatre producer who conceived and produced the Listen Up Project, will introduce the film and moderate a talkback following the screening where audience members can discuss the movie.

“Listen Up” delves into the experiences and issues of Vermont teens today. The young actors speak for themselves and youth around the state, talking frankly about subjects important to them, including mental health, social media, racial justice, sexual identity, inequality, climate change, and growing up in Vermont.

“Listen Up” is an original musical inspired, created, and performed by Vermont teens. The show goes to the heart of current youth issues, including mental health, resilience, racial justice, sexual identity, friendship, love, family, community, social justice, and current issues that young people are grappling with, including the global pandemic, climate change, and the future of Vermont for young people.

The Listen Up Project began its creative process in the winter of 2019. Throughout that year, producer Bess O’Brien and her team of artists and educators talked with more than 800 teens across the state about issues important to them. O’Brien then assembled a production team and engaged with teen writers and songwriters to produce a script based on true stories from young people living in Vermont. Auditions were scheduled and 16 Vermont teens were cast in the show, along with youth crew and band members.

For more information on the project as well as paid streaming options, see ListenUpVT.org.