Birmingham
Group Health Services’ Valley Substance Abuse Action Council is looking
for youth in grades 9 -12 to join a new Drama / Improv Performance Group.
This new initiative utilizes peer to
peer dramatizations performed by students in a theater setting. These
dramatizations will be created and performed by students to be used as
an educational tool depicting the consequences of various risky
behaviors. This form of experiential activity can raise awareness among
youth and motivate them to talk about the issues with their peers. By
empowering local youth to speak to youth through drama programs and
interactive dialogue, this program will provide students with a
“straight from the heart” look at real life situations they experience.
In the fall and spring, students will perform at numerous venues for
their peers and community members.
About
The Visiting Improv Company...
The Improv Company, run by Mr. Barry Halpin, is a very talented adolescent theater company that
combines drama, comedy, music, peer education and role modeling in a
unique way that both engages and challenges the audience. They perform
dramatic sketches on substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, violence and bullying,
parent-child communication and diversity, comedy sketches on a variety
of topics and improvisational games based on audience suggestion as well
as the one act play “OUT OF CONTROL”.
The
Company uses theater as a medium to entertain and educate, to
touch people and make them laugh but most importantly they want to help
teens deal with their emotions and the issues in their lives - ones the
actors and audience are going through together. Explains Mr. Halpin, "It’s teens helping
teens, using theater as a vehicle to hold up a mirror so they can see
themselves and all their potential. It’s also actors and audience
laughing together at what life is like." Many performances give the
audience the opportunity to dialogue with the actors as they stay in
character. The company also offers the audience the experience of coming
up on stage with the actors to participate in various sketches.
The
Company also runs workshops for students at schools throughout the area,
providing them with an opportunity to learn improvisational skills such
as problem solving, becoming more spontaneous, trusting their instincts
and working together to create successful scenes and in the process
increase their self confidence.
For
more information, contact VSAAC at (203) 736-8566 today!
