A group of young adults sit on the floor in casual white clothing, smiling and laughing together in a well-lit indoor setting.

Palefsky Collision Project

25th Anniversary Resources

This year (2026), the Alliance Theatre celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Palefsky Collision Project – a milestone that notably overlaps with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In this time, nearly 500 teens have engaged in the project, emerging as more collaborative, creative, and confident young artists — but more importantly, as more empathetic and hopeful young adults who are committed and equipped to changing the world. To mark this milestone, the Alliance Theatre has created (3) new resources for partners and communities who share our investment in elevating the voices of teens with something to say.

A person stands in dim lighting with one arm raised next to text reading "The Palefsky Collision Project 25th Anniversary" over a starburst graphic.

How-To Manual 

Written by Pearl Cleage with meaningful contributions from past and present Creative Team members, the First Pass Procedures Manual is a roadmap for elevating the voices of teens through the Alliance Theatre’s Collision Project model. This manual details each step of the process – from setting the vision to sustaining the project – in an approachable, flexible, and digestible manner.

Additionally, this resource features a thorough index containing real project documentation including a complete example script.

Download Manual

“Consider this first pass your invitation to collide with us! Use it. Adapt it. Pass it on.”

Peal Cleage
Distinguished Artist in Residence
Two young people stand under stage lights with arms raised, looking upward, in front of a dark curtain background—a moment inspired by the Palefsky Collision Project resources.

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Research & Evaluation

Led by Laura Wood, PhD (Lesley University) and Jason S. Frydman, PhD (North Carolina State University), this Collision Project Study investigates the following target domains:

  • Community belonging
  • Needs fulfillment
  • Group membership
  • Influence
  • Emotional connection
  • Hope
  • Agency
  • Pathways
  • Perspective taking

This project included thorough examination of the 2025 ensemble, as well as input from program alumni. Early results indicate that the Alliance Theatre’s Palefsky Collision Project, backed with quantitative data, delivers a relational pedagogy where respect, challenge, and collective authorship at a world-class theater environment support transformation that has potential beyond the scope of the project, fostering community, belonging, hope and civic engagement.

Additional findings are ongoing and will be made available in Fall 2026.

A group of young people on stage stand in a loose formation, reaching one arm upward, with expressions of focus and engagement.
A group of young people sit onstage as one woman stands and speaks in front of them; a person in the background plays guitar.

Greatest Hits Album

Produced by longtime Music Director David Koté in partnership with Spencer Ford, Justin Ellington and (8) alumni vocalists, an album of the Collision Project’s Greatest Hits will include newly recorded versions of show-stopping favorites including:

Dreams Born of Chaos (2024)
What’s Today’s Headline (2025)
Growing Pains (2021)
Our Collision (2023)
When It Rains, It Pours (2020)
When You’re With Me (2018)
Protest Medley: How Long Can We Wait, We’re Tired of Being Tired, and Stand Up Fight Back (2017, 2020, 2024)
Names on the Wall (2021)
I Believe in Miracles (2018)
Power of the Pen (2024)
Minimum Wage Shoes (2022)

Information on how to stream the album will be made available in Summer 2026.

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