The reason the stage is shared between adult and teenage performers is because I do not want to ask our children to tackle these problems alone, nor do I want them to embody these traumas without being surrounded by a handful of professional actors who can train them, our emerging artists, in the technique and self-care routines of a working actor. These three adults are extremely talented and generous performers who have provided a daily master class for our children, allowing them to grow faster and stronger than they ever have before. The adult actors are also portraying mothers, which allows our children to play themselves in a realistic and truthful way. In fact, it has empowered them to notice with openness and curiosity the differences in point of view between adults and teenagers. The dialogues that have occurred on and offstage have proven to me the importance of cross-generational art-making in today’s world.
I was an Andy’s kid in the 1990’s and have been creating work here for 10 years now. As leader, I hope to provide a collection of work that opens up critical thinking, collaborative strategies and content that challenges us all as humans. Sometimes that means a circus play, sometimes that means a football musical, and sometimes that means emotionally challenging content that an older group of kids would like to explore. Fortunately, we are able to provide all of those things this summer, and the children are always beautifully brilliant. I hope you attend this production. The children are not only empowered but also are teaching us adults how the next generation will think critically and constructively about a better world. If you do attend, and do have questions or concerns, we provide a talkback with the children at the end of the play. Just the children, because what they have to say about these topics is something worth listening to.