Under the gun. Under a cloud. Under fire. Under the microscope. Underdog. Under-achiever. Undercover. Under no circumstances. Under lock and key. Under your breath. Under the carpet. Under the influence. Under the radar. Under the wire. Under wraps. Under water.
What are you “under?”
If you’re an adolescent – chances are, you’re UNDER PRESSURE.
In November 2018, our Senior Ensemble will be presenting a trio of one-act plays centering on the themes of social anxiety, peer pressure, and bullying. We wanted to tackle these plays with our students to keep their theatre experience real, and relevant to them, to give them a chance to work through and express so many of the issues we know that young people struggle with. Through their rehearsal process, we hope to really examine and discuss some of the things that weigh on them, that keep them “under pressure.” We want to be part of instilling a community spirit and a sense of empathy in them in getting through some of the really tough stuff of adolescence. In the end, when we present the shows, we hope to open up a real dialogue for those attending the shows, as well.
Also being incorporated under this plan is student direction. We’ll have two university students and a high school student directing these three plays. We wanted to make sure that our younger people are getting the opportunities to learn new skills, but we also want to facilitate a close connection among the age groups going through these issues who can really understand and with whom the ideas we’ll explore will resonate most strongly.
This production will be available to school audiences on Friday, November 23, 2018, by pre-booking seats through RiverfrontTheatreCompany@gmail.com. It may be possible to arrange presentation of the show AT your school. Email to enquire.
Public performances will be held on Friday, November 23 and Saturday, November 24th at 7 p.m., and on Sunday, November 25th at 2 p.m.
Box:
By Lindsay Price
Sometimes we choose the way the world sees us. Black box – indestructible. Jewelry box – plain on the outside, shiny on the inside. Sometimes our box is defined by others – our parents, our friends, our enemies. A box built by others can feel small, confined, impossible.
How do we handle the boxes imposed upon us because of our gender? Our race? From peer pressure? From parent pressure? Do we have to live with our box for the rest of our lives? Can we change?
Hoodie:
By Lindsay Price
“This shirt has to show everything there is to know about me, my absolute coolness, and demonstrate my abilities to reach the highest rung on the in-crowd ladder.”
Middle schoolers face a tornado of questions every day. What do I wear? What if I wear the wrong thing? What is she wearing? What do I look like? Stop looking at me!
Hoodie examines image and appearance in the vignette style and poses what may be the most difficult question of all – Do I stay in the clump or do I stand alone?
The Redemption of Gertie Greene:
By Taryn Temple
New student Gertie Greene is a bully. Gossip spreads like wildfire that she attacks kids in the bathroom, knocks down football players, and gets suspended all the time. Even teachers are afraid of her. Everyone’s talking about it so it must be true. But is she really a terrifying monster?
In The Redemption of Gertie Greene the truth comes out in the most unexpected ways. Is Gertie really what everyone calls her: a freak, strange, stupid, clumsy, and mean? Or can Mrs. Fillmore’s quirky drama students see past the scuttlebutt to discover the real person behind the rumors? As they separate fact from fiction, Gertie and her fellow drama students bring to light the transforming power of kindness, and the importance of standing up for people who can’t defend themselves.
