Fine Arts Work Center and Future Perfect Project host podcasting for queer Cape Cod youth

Have a story you’d like to share about being queer on the Cape? The Future Perfect Project and the Fine Arts Work Center are teaming up to host a podcast-making workshop for queer Cape Codders aimed at sharing the unique stories of growing up on the politically and socially diverse Cape.

The Future Perfect Project — co-founded by Celeste Lecesne who co-founded the Trevor Project — is a nonprofit working to amplify queer voices across the United States through media, performance and creative workshops.

As part of their work, the organization produces “I’m Feeling Queer Today,” a podcast created by a group of young adults from across the United States and one in Canada discussing topics, experiences and stories related to their experiences as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“For this generation, I think it's the first podcast that's been made by and for queer young people themselves,” Lecesne said. "Their first decision was that they would make it joyful so that younger queer people around the country would be listening to this and say, ‘This is a wonderful thing. It's not some terrible scourge or some curse. Being queer as a wonderful thing.’”

“The Future Perfect Project I’m Feeling Queer Today!: ‘Queer on the Cape’” podcast workshop is a six-month program teaching a group of 12 queer Cape Codders about the ins and outs of making a podcast and providing an outlet for sharing their experiences of being queer on the Cape.

“It's a perfect nexus for the progressive and the conservative and exemplifies what's happening all over the country,” Lecesne said about wanting to highlight the queer experience on the Cape.

Open to year-round Cape Cod residents, ages 16 to 22

The program is open to year-round residents, ages 16 to 22, and is free to attend. During the workshop, students will attend seven pre-workshop Zoom sessions introducing participants and teaching the basics of podcasting in mid-April, followed by a week-long workshop at the Fine Arts Work Center's Provincetown campus during the “Queer Week” in mid-July and ending with six post-production Zoom sessions through October.

“​​To be able to bring a group of Cape Cod, queer young people to be immersed in that overwhelming euphoria for a week so that they can really feel what it feels like to experience queerness as a joyful thing, I couldn't not do it,” David Simpson, program director for the Fine Arts Work Center, said.

The workshop also marks a new undertaking for the center as its the first summer workshop to take place beyond the summer and incorporate online and in-person sessions.

'Young people are bringing it in'

“I've been working (at the Fine Arts Work Center) for over 20 years,” Lecesne said. “So to see something new and to feel like ‘Oh my god, the young people are bringing it in,’ is so thrilling.”

The pair hope that the workshop not only highlights the drastically different experiences of being a queer person on Cape Cod but brings together a group of young people eager to share their stories and bring a new sense of thinking and connection to campus this summer.

“They're a gift already, but their presence on campus this summer will be an indelible gift to everyone who's there that week,” Simpson said.

To apply or find out more information about the program, visit www.fawc.org/. Applications are currently open and will be accepted through the end of March — though some late applications will also be taken. Transportation will be provided to and from the center's Provincetown campus during the in-person workshop but there will be no on-site housing.

Frankie Rowley covers entertainment and things to do. Contact her at frowley@capecodonline.com.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Podcasting workshop aims to share young, queer Cape Codders' stories