Youth Voices Make a Statement in Bold Exploration of Missing Youth, Trafficking and Social Change

Teen Hype Presents Annual Play Unseen

Teen HYPE is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated annual theatrical production, Unseen. For just under two decades, Teen HYPE has produced youth-led theatrical productions. This dynamic play will take place at the Heinz C. Prechter Educational and Performing Arts Center (1000 Northline Road, Taylor, MI) on Thursday, March 5, and Friday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. (for students and educators), and Friday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m. (for the general public).  

Unseen explores the critical issue of missing Black girls through an original youth-created theatrical experience. This powerful production examines how systemic failures make some children invisible to those who should care the most. Through compelling performances, the show challenges our community to embrace collective responsibility for every child’s safety and well-being. This production addresses the themes of community vigilance, systemic accountability, child safety, and the power of collective action. Audiences will leave empowered to be the eyes and ears for children in their communities.  

The play is written by Teen HYPE alumna Mallory Childs, a graduate of University Liggett School and a current student at Spelman College in Atlanta. This powerful production is a reflection of Childs’ vision to use her art as a catalyst for raising awareness about the critical issues facing youth and young adults today.  

This story calls on us to create spaces of safety and love, to listen, believe and show up for young people. It challenges us to choose understanding over assumption and reminds us that when a community truly cares, youth are seen, valued, and protected,” says Childs.  

Black children are disproportionately represented among missing children, accounting for over 36% of cases in the United States while comprising only 14% of the nation’s child population. These stark numbers highlight how moments and clues can be harder to notice when youth go missing, not due to a lack of attention, but because young people today are less sheltered and have broader, more open access to the world. With teens engaging in wider social networks, both in person and online, significant blind spots can emerge in efforts to locate missing children. Through its story, Unseen addresses contemporary issues affecting today’s youth and communities, inviting audiences to consider how access, exposure, and connection shape the ways we respond when young people go missing. 

“Teen HYPE’s annual production gives young people a platform to express themselves and spark meaningful conversations about the world they live in,” said Ambra Redrick, CEO of Teen HYPE. “This play reflects our commitment to youth development by creating space for young people to lead, create, and tell their own stories. It also highlights the importance of arts education and the power of creative expression to raise awareness about issues affecting young people and their communities.” 

In conjunction with the production, Teen HYPE is hosting a youth art contest that expands the conversation beyond the stage. Open to artists ages 12 to 24, the contest invites mixed media, drawing, photography, and painting submissions exploring the theme "Unseen.” The exhibit uses art as a form of witness, inviting the community to see, listen, and respond. First-, second-, and third-place prizes will be awarded. Submissions are due by Feb. 24, 2026. 

In addition to providing a platform for youth voices, this annual play is a critical part of Teen HYPE’s ongoing commitment to youth and the community. For over 21 years, Teen HYPE has impacted more than 55,000 local youth through programs focused on leadership, education, wellness, and health. Teen HYPE offers youth the tools and knowledge to make empowered, informed choices that will guide their future success.  

Event Details:  

Teen HYPE presents “Unseen” 

Heinz C. Prechter Educational and Performing Arts Center  

1000 Northline Road, Taylor, MI  48180 

Performances:   

Day Performance (Educators and Students):  

Thursday, March 5 & Friday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m.  

Night Performance (General Public):  

Friday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m.  

Ticket Information:  

Student and Educator Tickets: $25  

General Admission Tickets: $35  

VIP Experience: $75  

Tickets can be purchased online at www.teenhype.org/events.  

Art Contest: 

To enter and learn more, visit here. 

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