GREENFIELD — A group of teens who have been rehearsing since November will share their work with an audience on Sunday, June 23, at “Mind Matters Most: A Mental Health Cabaret.”
Audience members will be taken on a vaudeville-style time-traveling tour through segments that address themes such as healthy relationships, family dynamics and supporting a loved one in crisis. The performance, scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center, will be followed by a Q&A with performers and artistic leaders.
“We worked really hard,” cast member Len Wagenbeek said during rehearsals Thursday night. [audience members] Not only are young people having fun, but they are also becoming more aware of issues like how they view the world, mental health and other issues they may not have thought about.”
“Mind Matters Most” is the culmination of the work of teens who participated in Valley Playwright Mentoring, a program of Piti Theatre Co., in which teens transform difficult experiences into theater productions and podcasts.
The show is co-directed by Piti Theatre Co-Artistic Director Jonathan Millin, teaching artist Laura Josephs and the ensemble, and local podcast creator Vala Genczyk, 16, joined the team this year as a writer.
“Young people these days are becoming more and more knowledgeable about mental health and wellness,” Millin says. “This group is particularly knowledgeable and are also interested in drama and expression. It’s been great to watch them take more and more control over the process.”
Due to some adult themes, this performance is intended for ages 13 and older. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended at ptco.org/vpm .
“Last year, the group decided to focus on gun violence after several of our members experienced lockdown at Greenfield High School,” Millin said in a statement. “This year, we decided to focus on teen mental health and have done a fantastic job of finding understandable, relatable, and even lighthearted moments in a tough situation. Anyone who loves theater or wants to know what young people are thinking in real time will get a lot out of this production.”
Valley Playwrights Mentoring is also accepting registrations from theatre companies in Greenfield, Holyoke and Shelburne Falls for October 2024. The program, which offers scholarships to actor-playwrights who complete the six-month mentoring, is made possible with support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s YouthReach Program, Western Massachusetts Community Foundation, Mount Pleasant Foundation, Charles H. Hall Foundation, Markham Nathan Fund for Social Justice, Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association and Swiss Harmony.
Anthony Cammmalleri can be contacted at acammmalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.
