Recycled Youth presents their annual theatrical production!
Thursday thru Sunday, November 29th thru December 2nd, 2012 / Times TBA
Mateel Community Center
TBA (See below for last year's general info...)
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Recycled Youth presents their annual theatrical production!
Thursday thru Sunday, December 1st thru 4th, 2011 (Sunday is a Matinee Day)
~ Thu - Sat, December 1-3, Evening Shows: Doors at 7:30pm / Curtain 8pm
~ Sunday, December 4th, Matinee Show: Doors at 1:30pm / Curtain 2pm
Mateel Community Center
Teen Theatre at it's Best!
At the Door: $12-15 sliding scale to support the program. $5 for those under 19 years of age.
Every year, the teens involved Recycled Youth spend 3 months creating, writing and rehearsing their show, after school for an average of 3 hours, 2 days a week and increasing to more days and hours as it gets closer to their performance in December. And every year, their effort pays off big time with audiences loving the great shows they produce. Typically the performances consist of a four or five theatrical vignettes, that explore issues effecting their lives from personal angst and pain to the their views of the world at large.
This year their show, entitled “i-zone,” is looking at the prevalence of technology in our society, with an eye for both its pros and cons. Other topics they tackle include drug use at school, prejudice and more. The show incorporates quotes from cultural icons, whose words have influenced them including Jim Morrison, who said, “Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power;” Ghandi who said, "A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes;" and Shakespeare’s words, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."
The actors are also the creators of the show, working with the directors to refine their scripts. Here is what a few of the participants said about the show and their process...
Actor/Creator Sydney Fishman: "I think this show is one of the most vital performances we've ever created. It really shows the paradox that technology can be great, but it can also turn us into zombies."
Actor/Creator Rose Johns: "Coming up with the ideas for the show was a really great aspect of working with Recycled Youth. I hope people come see the show to support us, and to see the youth's point of view."
Director Joani Rose: "Recycled Youth is always a 'hold onto your hat' experience. We start with a completely blank slate, and come up with a full length production. It's an amazing labor of love to watch it unfold. This year, I have been particularly tickled. I love the premise of it being a Twilight Zone episode - who doesn't like Twilight Zone? The show has endearing characters and is tied together well. The cast is creative and a joy to work with."
To help augment the costs of the Recycled Youth program, the group is holding a raffle this year. The grand prize is a 2-night stay and dinner for 2 of dinner generously donated by John and Theresa Porter of the beautiful Benbow Inn. Tickets are available now and may be purchased in Garberville at Sweet Grass, (the former Folk Art), at the Mateel office, or from members of the cast. They will also be tabling in Garberville.
Recycled Youth is a free after-school theatre program at the Mateel
Community Center for area youth ages 14-18. The program directors, Joani Rose, Anna Rogers and Colleen Bingham offer lessons in acting, mime, clowning, trapeze and dance, and the students ultimately write and perform their own original show.
Recycled Youth is grateful to have loyal
sponsors, and we would be thrilled to welcome new supporters to help
maintain this important program. Please pick up a raffle ticket
today, for a chance to stay at the landmark Benbow Inn or call Cathy at the Mateel to be a sponsor listed in our program guide.
The free after school theatre program for teens, Recycled Youth, has been hard at work on their new show for the last three months. Sponsored by Mateel Community Center, the show always draws a full house of captive audiences under the spell of the talented teens in our area. This year will be no exception with their original production, The i-zone.” Local theater professionals, Joani Rose, the founder of the Recycled Youth program and Anna Rogers, who is co-directing the show with her, were asked to talk about the program and this year’s production.
What is this year’s show about?
Joani: This year’s show, “The i-zone”is a Twilight Zone episode with a modern take. Rod Serling is still there, but the familiar opening animation will take on some new symbols that reflect today’s world. For the first time this year, our show will be multi-media with some exciting images projected onto the stage.
Our main character is Izzy. She feels lonely because her parents are too busy texting to pay attention to her, and she’s feeling sad about the state of the world. Through a technological glitch, she gets a visit from some well known cultural icons of the past. Gandhi, Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Jim Morrison, Rosie the Riveter, William Shakespeare, and Mario and Luigi all try to help her make a change in the world sharing words of wisdom meant to inspire. Whether their words can really help or whether this is an age where change must come from within the people themselves is the question.
Economic inequality, escapism through drugs and technology, the fear of terrorism, homophobia, finding one’s power within- through the play of the shadows and substance of things and ideas, you cross over into “The i-Zone.”
What is your process…how do you create these pieces?
The Recycled Youth program was designed with the idea that teens would have a forum for addressing socially relevant issues. The topics that appear in our show come from the teens. We brainstorm and list issues that feel vital to individual participants, and then we see what emerges as important to the group as a whole. We do theater games & exercises to build skills and create a group dynamic. We do improvisation to create pieces collaboratively. From the ideas that emerge, individuals and teams write scripts, which are edited collaboratively between the ensemble and the directors.
What do Recycled Youth members take away from this experience?
Joani: The participants find themselves in a community of their own where they feel valued and appreciated. They sense of self worth and confidence in their ability to be creative and make a contribution. They develop theatre skills and leadership skills. This year, the physical strength and agility of the company has stands out, especially with those who are doing trapeze and dance.
One student, Isabel Maggiani, who has worked with Recycled Youth for four years as an actor and creator, has decided she wants to be part of the production team. She is helping Margaret Lewis with costumes, and will be the stage manager of the show. This is the first time a student has stage-managed one of our shows and Isabel definitely has learned how to do it.
Anna: When we begin, we're getting to know these new people, or reacquainting ourselves with students from previous years. As we brainstorm, improvise, play theatre games, especially as we approach tech week and the performances, we become a big family. We're aware of each other's strengths and weaknesses, who needs help with what, and the students help and encourage each other. It's really a gratifying experience to see each student steps up with what they have to offer. The second, third and fourth year students take what they’ve learned in the past, and pass it on to the newer students. They also learn things like what constructive criticism is, and how to stand onstage so everyone can hear and see you, and even how to clean up after themselves in the rehearsal space.
Joani: This is a big community project with many people helping. Stu Moskovitz paints our backdrop, using ideas that the participants give him. In addition to costumes, community members help with sound and lights, build sets, loan props and costumes, and everything else that theatre requires. Giving this kind of community support to the participants can change lives.
Anna: It’s such a pleasure to work with these kids. It’s really a great experience.
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will be performed at the Mateel Community Center on starting on Thursday, December 1st, with evening performances through Saturday and a matinee performance on Sunday, December 4th at 2pm.
Tickets will be sold at the door.
is graciously supported by the following
~ Carl Nielsen Memorial Fund ~
~ Ivy Erene Hughes & Carl G. Lundgren Fund ~
~ Madeline Rose Coker Memorial Fund ~
Thank You for your support! |
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