Hi everyone -
Recovering from an exhilerating (although also exhausting) week at Festival - and just getting to my email... I purposely stayed away from my computer this past week, to spend time with my family & get ready to hosting a picnic this weekend!
However - I must comment about this thread. In April, we produced a show called "The Locker Next 2 Mine" by Jonathan Dorf. It centers around the theme of teen suicide and depression - and is very moving!
Ironically, we wanted to produce this play as our fall mainstage in November, 2012 - but our administration said no, because it was "too touchy & too sensitive of a subject." An alumni had just died in a motorcycle accident, and had 2 younger siblings still at our HS at the time. However, when a new club was sponsored this past fall, this play kept coming to mind - and when I pitched the idea again, I got a yes!
Here's the synopsis from
www.youthPLAYS.com <http://www.youthplays.com> (there is a one-act version also available through Playscripts)
It's tough being a mid-year arrival in your junior year of high school. To make matters worse for Alisa, her locker is next to this sprawling shrine for a female lacrosse player who died in an auto accident. While the popular "M Squad" leads a school that is in a state of non-stop remembrance for Beth, Alisa is just trying to eke out enough space to get to her books. But her efforts to find breathing room lead her to discover that there was another passing that no one is talking about, and it's left many of the school's students trying to pick up their own pieces. When she connects with Brady, former student TV reporter who infamously had a meltdown in the middle of a broadcast, can they help the community take its first steps toward healing? A play about teen suicide and dealing with loss.
We partnered with our newly chartered club, Aevidum, and split the proceeds from this production. Their message is simply, "I've got your back" - and that we need to treat people nicely, smile, say hello - and of course, empowering youth to make a difference. It was started by a local school in my county after a student's suicide - but they are chartering new clubs all over now. Check out
www.aevidum.org <http://www.aevidum.org> for more information.
Please feel free to contact me if you'd like to see production photos - or some insight as to how we doubled up on roles. We encouraged Aevidum club members to audition - and had several students involved who had never performed on stage before, as well as our Thespian students. Two of our cast members were from the Life Skills class, which was a neat opportunity for everyone.
We were fortunate that our school is relatively close to Jonathan Dorf's parents, and the timing worked out for him to attend our productions. While in town, he was able to meet with Joe Vulopas, the director of Aevidum, and I hope that this will help create more partnerships as the word gets out about both this wonderful play, and the Aevidum message.
Definitely check this one out!!!
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Melissa Mintzer
Penn Manor HS
Millersville PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2014 22:09
From: Juliette Beck
Subject: Plays for Social Justice
I, too, am interested in social justice plays. I am familiar with I Never Saw Another Butterfly and The Laramie Project, as well as some anti-bullying plays by Lindsay Price from Theatrefolk.
This is open to everyone: What other social justice plays are available as one acts and/or appropriate for middle school actors that you've had success with?
Thank you,
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Juliette Beck
Head of Theatre, Teacher, Troupe Director
Albuquerque NM
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2014 11:07
From: James Smith
Subject: Plays for Social Justice
Are there any quality one act plays with social justice themes that anyone may know of, read and/or directed?
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James Smith
Illinois Chapter Director
Ridgewood High School
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