Making a Difference in the Lives of Teenagers
Research shows that using drama in schools is an effective method for transferring information to students in a way they can easily understand and remember. Children's Theatre of Charlotte has the unique ability to use dramatic productions to grab and hold students’ attention and present situations where characters must choose how they deal with difficult social issues. Through the Drama for Healthy Living Program, Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention is presented to all middle schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system. The goal of this important program is to create positive change in students at a critical point in their lives. During the 2007-2008 season, we anticipate serving approximately 10,000 CMS students through the Drama for Healthy Living Program. We know from listening to countless students and teachers that this program reaches young people in a way a simple class discussion or lecture never could.
This program is supported in part by generous contributions from
artsteach,
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools,
the
Mecklenburg County ABC Board,
the
US Airways Education Foundation
and The Betty J. and J. Stanley Livingstone Charitable Foundation,
Inc.
Alcohol
& Substance Abuse Prevention – 8th Grade
Alcohol and substance abuse continue to be tough issues for young
people; behavior patterns formed at this age can have an impact on
students for the rest of their lives – for good or bad. The first part
of our program for 8th graders is the presentation of a play
called
The Ice Cream
Man, which
dramatically, yet realistically, illustrates the negative consequences
of making unhealthy choices.
After seeing The Ice Cream Man, students participate in an intense 60-minute follow-up workshop. Led by trained actor/facilitators, the workshops are designed to assist students as they examine their emotional reactions to the material in the play.
Strategies for
resisting peer pressure and other potentially negative influences are
discussed; students with existing problems can also speak to the
actor/facilitators confidentially, to seek appropriate support if they
think they have a problem.
Our Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention program is made possible in part through the generous support of the Mecklenburg County ABC Board.
For more information on the
Drama for Healthy Living Program,
contact Margot Parrott at
Children's Theatre of Charlotte.
The Ice Cream Man...
"It was incredibly moving and very, very real. The production did a great job of showing the more insidious side of substance abuse; that addiction slips in slowly-almost anonymously-until it has you (as we saw today) by the throat.
There was nothing preachy or simple about the Ice Cream Man and that is what made it so powerful."
John A. Basilice
CMS Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator
“I think this program is one of the best ways to inform students. It gives students a chance to see how problems seem in real life situations as opposed to reading from textbooks.”
“The students were spellbound.”
“The students thought the play was a very real situation. This was a very good play to see just before we started the drug unit ... An eye opener. Made them reconsider usage.”
“Right on target.”
“I think that this semester’s performance was outstanding- the best I have seen in 5 years! The workshops are great and a great opportunity for the students to get involved.”
“Excellent presentation! You guys got this group talking and discussing and thinking. Awesome!”