TASA members participate for one to two years and commit to receiving ongoing training in adolescent health education and performance techniques, creating community-based interactive workshops that respond to the concerns of the specific audience for whom they are performing, and bi-monthly performance workshops. Unlike traditional theatre models where actors read from a script during a play on stage, members provide scenarios that actively engage its audience to help decide, shape, question, and examine issues in a program. The performances focus broadly on communication skills that are needed in situations that put youth at risk. They also provide facts about adolescent health issues. After each workshop, TASA members provide referral and program information to facilitate access and integration with Children’s existing adolescent health services, including HIV testing.

TASA is an effective peer education and train-the-trainer model of exploring youth behaviors and choices for many of the District of Columbia’s youth programs. Members have shared, presented, and performed at many engagements and contributed to the field of adolescent medicine.

If you are a physician and would like to schedule a TASA workshop for your staff, please send an e-mail to Christine Gordon.

TASA trainings take place every Wednesday from 4 pm – 6 pm, October – May, at the Comp Clinic. All performance workshops take place on alternating Wednesdays. Please call 202–476-6010 in advance for the meeting location. Come out, meet new friends while learning how to educate your peers, earn community service credit, and develop leadership skills! Sign up for TASA here.

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