Production shows teens they have positive choices

How does the economy affect teens?

The unemployment rate for 16- to 19-year-olds hit 25.9 percent in September, the highest rate recorded since at least 1948 (the earliest data the Labor Department supplies). This statistic only adds to the violence, drug, alcohol, Internet and physical abuse, bullying, self mutilation, depression, suicide, sexting, pregnancy, body image, hate crimes, prejudice, and peer pressure that contribute to the escalating pressures that kids face on a daily basis.

The need for support, help and information to deal with the issues and threats are paramount. Kim Farah, owner of Moves Dance Studio, felt compelled to resurrect a project she had worked on 10 years ago in an effort to help and created "STAND UP! Change Teen Statistics," a prevention-theater show.

Preliminary research inspired by similar studies cited by University of Illinois Center for Prevention Research and Development and conducted by ArtGem, LLC, shows that the show is a viable means to provide help when all of the teen audience agreed that the show can inspire life change - 93 percent said they know someone who should see the show, 23 percent said that they were encouraged to seek help and 46 percent said that the show inspired them to change.

After its debut this past fall, the show has been requested by more than 30 schools and organizations. Four school districts have booked it sight unseen.

R.Ed.I. Arts and Education Foundation was founded to create this show and program. R.Ed.I.'s Executive Director Kimberly Farah stated: "Multiple efforts from a variety of resources are needed to truly make the difference for kids. The information in our show, 'STAND UP! Change Teen Statistics,' was compiled from interviews and shared stories of over 60 kids over the last four years.

"The authenticity of the show, the fact that it speaks their language and is in a format that they understand and can relate to on a personal level makes this show a powerful and unique alternative to reach and provide help for teens."

STAND UP! was featured on CBS Channel 2 News in Chicago Jan. 3.

The cast is made up of a diverse group of teens, including Leo Allen, who was a student at Fenger High School where a teen was brutally murdered earlier this year. The experiences and firsthand understanding of the issues teens face are all represented in this powerful production.

After the information was workshopped by the cast and supervised by Farah and Christina Biggs, a DePaul graduate and Chicago Theatre Building playwright, Diana Martinez, former director/producer for Pheasant Run Theatre and current chief administrative and marketing officer for The Second City, directed, developed and rehearsed the show to bring it to production level.

The one-hour show includes original pop and rap music that appeals to teens and includes sketch-style vignettes that illustrate the pressures and obstacles that tempt teens.

Michael A. Jacoby, former superintendent of Geneva Unit District 304 and currently executive director of Illinois Association of School Business Officials, stated, "'Stand Up - Change Teen Statistics' is an authentic and powerful project that will empower students to confront the real issues in their lives. It will create a lasting impact on every audience because these are real stories from the lives of real teenagers performed by students who know. It's simply remarkable!"

Additionally, business leaders, community activists and government officials have been intimately involved for more than five years.

One board member involved from the beginning, Ken Buckman, CEO of Tradetec Skyline in Lombard, commented, "These issues are absolutely happening in all our kids' schools, and most kids are too scared to realize they are not alone, that they can get help. This show has tremendous and far-reaching capability to reach kids in a way most other means fail.

"That is why so many have so tirelessly committed countless hours and resources to making this show happen. If you have kids, work with kids, or in any way affect kids, you have to see this show and its potential to make a big difference to those it is presented."

The ensemble cast includes: Gabriella Mercado of North Aurora, Taylor Myers of Wheaton, Dakota Rhodes of Chicago, Anastasia Arnold of Huntley, Leo Allen of Chicago, Darrien E. Burks of Chicago, Emily Delaney of Wheaton, Chantel George of Streamwood, Tyler Sone of St. Charles, and cast members and co-composer Paolo Nicolasin of Chicago and Yamil Rodriguez of Chicago.

The R.E.D.I. arts and Educational Foundation's mission is to reach, educate and inspire youth to make positive, informed, intelligent, choices when faced with the variety of issues they will no doubt encounter throughout their developmental years. This nonprofit corporation has been developed to provide effective prevention education programming for the nation's communities, schools and youth organizations.

"STAND UP! Change Teen Statistics" is sponsored, in part, by Votre Vu, Tradetec Skyline, Sikich LLP, the Illinois Arts Council, NRS-National Restoration Systems, Artgem LLC, Comcast and Moves Dance Studio.

For information, call (630) 876-0100 or visit redifoundation.org.