Pre-program
A Production Team of 6-8 youth, chosen from the returning previous year's cast, is responsible for the overall vision of the project. They begin training sessions two months prior to the first rehearsal to develop their leadership abilities, using techniques such as Community Youth Mapping. The team establishes goals and objectives; sets policy on issues involving the cast; assesses and plans rehearsals with the directors; and communicates regularly with cast members. They lead the rehearsals by example rather than authority.

Selection of Participants
Approximately 50 participants are chosen during non-competitive "auditions." These "auditions" include completing a written survey, as well as engaging in improvisation, simple dancing, and singing. Criteria for participant selection are need, availability, willingness to engage with peers, willingness to participate with a diverse group of young people, and concern for the various issues facing young people today. No one is chosen on the basis of talent.

Training
City at Peace-Los Angeles conflict analysis utilizes the curriculum of violence prevention to analyze and understand why violence occurs, adapted from several renowned and expert trainers in violence prevention. The trainings examine the use of power in relationships and the construction of "isms" in our culture. Combining interactive exercises with extensive discussion, these trainings provide a framework for participants to understand the value of diversity and analyze conflict in their own lives and communities. After dissecting the causes of conflict, participants learn a model for resolving conflict.

This model is first presented, then implemented in a safe environment through role-playing. Peer-to-peer suggestions for strategies are discussed and scenes are played again to improve effectiveness. This creative activity gives participants a dynamic, low-risk means for exploring new, peaceful ways in which to approach conflicts.

Participants use these activities and discussions as a foundation from which to create dramatic scenes that illustrate the causes of conflict in their daily lives at home, at school or on the streets. Utilizing their newly honed analytical skills, youth construct scenes that illustrate the causes of the conflicts they face; they also utilize the conflict resolution model and strategies to construct scenes that illustrate potential resolutions to these conflicts. These scenes are the basis for a full-length original musical that is presented to the community, including parents, teachers, friends and peers, providing a roadmap for resolution for participants and audiences alike.

After the show is premiered, participants continue to provide a consistent support network for conflict resolution for one another. This network provides much-needed ongoing advice and encouragement as the teens attempt to resolve new and unforeseen conflicts.

Rehearsal Workshops
In a typical rehearsal workshop, students begin by focusing on a specific issue identified by one or more cast members. Topics may include such subjects as racism, peer pressure, gender inequities, homophobia, domestic abuse, or discrimination against youth. Their discussion is then incorporated into performing arts workshops, led by the Artistic Director, that help the teens understand the causes, dimensions and complexities of the issue. Participants translate their learning into scenes constructed from their experiences.

Outlining
After three months of intensive workshops and training sessions, the Production Team and Artistic Director construct an outline from the raw material of scenes, writings, discussions and presentations. The outline includes several narratives - all taken from work presented by the cast - with suggestions for music and dance pieces, and woven together inside a theatrical metaphor that represents the character of the cast's work together.

For example, past productions have included story lines that dealt with date rape, family violence, incest, parental death and homophobia.

Casting

The Artistic Directors assign participants to the roles established in the outline. Selection is based not on artistic ability, but on the needs of the cast members with respect to the issues addressed in each scene (although no cast member ever reenacts his or her own story).

Rehearsals
Over a period of three months, the cast create, write, rehearse and refine their performance. Each is responsible for creating his/her part in collaboration with the other scene partners. The Artistic Director works to shape the scenes and ready them for the stage, but does not decide their content or outcome.

The Artistic Director, Musical Director and Choreographer create the larger ensemble pieces in collaboration with participants. Decision-making is based on consensus and an active dialogue about the issues and messages to be presented, as well as theatrical viability.

Artistic excellence is stressed and striven for in every aspect of the preparations. Cast members actively incorporate this standard into developing the content of their scenes and their performances.

Performances
The City at Peace performances are a significant community event where parents, teachers, community leaders, and people from all walks of life gather to witness the culmination of the youths' efforts. They experience a work of theater that utilizes a broad spectrum of the performing arts to articulate the reality of young people's lives in Los Angeles and a vision for positive change.