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Playing POWER GAMES with the CAT Youth Theatre
March 1, 2011Playing POWER GAMES with the CAT Youth Theatre
What relationship does the average person have to power? What responsibility? What kinds of power do young people want? What kinds do they have? CAT Youth Theatre’s spring 2011 production, POWER GAMES, was a rousing success.
“All of the performers were extraordinary. So many aspects of the show were exceptional, but what struck me last night was the creativity and sophistication of the skits. How do the youth think these things up?” (John Mogulescu)
Focused on the theme of power, the group researched the many facets of power – from physical strength to political authority – studying current events as well as smaller, everyday power games. Audience members commented again and again on how perceptive the scenes were – from addressing the education system to an exploration of the ‘bread and circuses’ concept, and how superficial things are used to distract a populace from more political issues.
“The young people are so versatile and talented, "professional" actors could not have done any better. The vignettes gave me a lot to think about and taught me some things as well.” (Deborah Douglass)
The show was performed for over 1,250 audience members between February 25th and March 6th, at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Of the 42 young people who worked on the show, 39 performed and 3 worked on marketing and production support.
“Teens can’t do this. Teens can’t do that. This show, more than ever has given me that power, like, “I’m going to do this, I’m going to set my mind to it and no matter what anybody else says, I’m going to get it done because I know I CAN.” I’ve taken that word, “can’t”, out of my vocabulary – officially.” (POWER GAMES Cast Member)
11 MA in Applied Theatre students and alumni worked on the show as well, mentoring the young people and shaping the production by designing costumes, directing scenes and filling several other crucial positions.
“Talk about empowerment. Your young people are acquiring the critical thinking, collaborative, and verbal skills to transform themselves into whatever their dreams imagine and to create a better community for all of us.” (MAAT Faculty Member)
Click here for more about the CAT Youth Theatre.
