This weekend, two public events in Fort Collins are bringing youth, families, educators and community members together around a shared goal of creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported and empowered to imagine their future. Hosted by the Louise Cutler Studio Community Arts Program, these events combine participatory storytelling, intergenerational dialogue and hands-on learning.
Community table reading of “Take a Giant Step”
- When: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6
- Where: Museum of Art Fort Collins
As part of Black History Month, the community is invited to participate in a community table reading of the play, “Take a Giant Step,” by Louis Peterson. This is not a performance. Audience members become the readers, sitting at the table and lending their voices to the story.
The play centers on Spencer Scott, a gifted Black teenager navigating identity, belonging and expectations in a predominantly white educational environment. Though written decades ago, the themes mirror challenges many young people still face today: feeling unseen, misunderstood or pressured to fit into systems not built for them.
What makes this event especially powerful is its participatory format. Any community member, young and older, can read side by side, creating an atmosphere of shared learning rather than critique. In partnership with Museum of Art Fort Collins, the experience will open the door to honest conversation about how communities can better support youth without judgment and with a focus on growth and understanding.
A World of Difference: Powered by People, Science and Engineering
- When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7
- Where: Foothills Mall, Fort Collins
Also taking place this weekend is a youth-focused engineering and innovation event that introduces students to problem-solving, creativity and real-world STEM applications. Through hands-on activities, young participants can explore how ideas turn into solutions and how curiosity can lead to future career pathways In partnership with CSU College of Engineering.
This event highlights the importance of early exposure and encouragement, especially for youth who may not always see themselves represented in technical fields. It complements the table reading by showing another side of youth development: giving young people the tools, confidence and space to build what comes next. This is a hands-on, station-based learning experience featuring CSU’s engineering programs.
