Ideas of agency have assumed considerable significance in criminal justice (Smith, 2009) and have much to offer in the field of youth justice specifically. For instance, Maruna (2001) suggests that antisocial/criminal behavior in juveniles can be indicative of a lack of personal agency in significant areas of their lives and the need to demonstrate personal agency and control, making the concept a vital part of rehabilitation. While the empirical evidence of the effects of applied theatre (AT) programs on recidivism rates is limited, their impact on improving personal agency and prosocial behavior abounds in the available literature. The process vs. product model of AT makes it a suitable strength-based rehabilitation model that helps youth offenders access their agentic potential. However, the overemphasis on the quantifiable effects of rehabilitation programs on recidivism rates of the justice intervention model has resulted in a limited exploration of the topic within applied theatre and criminal justice research. This research is therefore grounded in the welfare intervention model. It uses multiple case studies to explore how and if applied theatre artists (ATA) and organizations that work with youth experiencing incarceration (YEI) advocate for youth agency in their work within the justice intervention model in the U.S. The study reveals that ATA negotiate for youth agency through their facilitation and leadership culture. It also demonstrates that negotiating for youth agency is directly tied to how ATA negotiate for their place in the facilities and how they maintain support and good relationships with corrections staff. The study further highlights how ATA use theatre techniques with a “yes and…” approach and creative agency that help YEI to access their agentic potential. It demonstrates that ATA also conduct youth agency advocacy work outside incarceration facilities. It shows that applied theatre artists use theatre techniques with a “yes, and…” and approach and creative agency that help youth experiencing incarceration access their agentic potential. It also reveals that systemic insecurities of incarceration of the justice model interfere with applied theatre program implementation. The study’s findings offer scholars and artists a better understanding of applied theatre practice with justice-involved youth.