STAND UP, REACH OUT!

On March 1st 8 talented and brave teenagers got onto the AMT Theater stage and blew us all away with their thought provoking and intelligent show, 2040 - A Play With Music. This beautiful play was crafted by these students under the masterful guidance of Mary Lauren who facilitated a 5 week theater workshop called Stand Up, Reach Out!

Stand Up, Reach Out was a 5 week theater workshop that culminated in a new play written and performed by teenagers aged 12 - 18. In an environment that fosters safety and creativity they worked together to develop a play that speaks to what is important to their group. Through writing prompts, storytelling and acting exercises they worked together to inspire a brand new play. The theme of their play inspired them to write two original songs. The students got lessons in writing, acting, singing and dance. 

Their finished piece premiered on AMT Theater’s Off Broadway stage. 2040 - A Play With Music

What is the truth? The year is 2040 or 1943. It depends on who you ask. New York as we know it no longer exists. What happens when one family has all of the control?

What struck me while watching this play was how these kids were grappling with and challenging the dominance of technology in our lives as well as how power structures can be oppressive and stifling. I have been guilty of assuming teenagers are not engaged enough in political thoughts or questioning enough of the power of social media and yet here they were, showing me and all the adults in the room that they are thinking and questioning and worrying as much as we are about the future. It was a marvelous show and everyone involved should be proud of what they achieved in such a short space of time.

AMT Youth Theater, under Mary Lauren's guidance, wants to empower the youth of Hell’s Kitchen and provide a safe, inclusive space where everyone can realize their full potential through the creative arts. This workshop emphasized the relationship between what happens on stage and what happens in the world around us, this program promoted an embodied and intellectual understanding of theater as a catalyst for empathy, empowerment, and action.

Thank you to Manhattan Plaza and Related Management for supporting this program. As Mary Lauren wrote in the program: Receiving an Arts Grant in our current climate is a miracle and working with these teens has been inspiring in so many ways. At a time when our country is in turmoil these teens have created a fascinating piece of theatre.