 NEWS PHOTO EMMA BENNETTCast members rehearse for the Hometown Acting Studio production of "Spring Awakening" at the Medicine Hat College. The show opens Feb 2. |
Stacey Lee
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The Hometown Acting Studio will put on a show at in the Medicine Hat College Theatre, which could help parents open essential lines of communication with their teens.
"It's a story that follows a group of teenagers as they try to navigate life in 1880s Germany," says studio owner and director Clare MacMillan of "Spring Awakening." "It is set in a country/provincial town, where the parents and teachers do not stray from the norm."
The teens depicted in the performance, despite the time gap, are struggling with the same issues modern teens do. Issues broached include homosexuality, abortion, rape, child abuse, and even suicide. While the play itself has been banned in Germany, MacMillan says it deals with those issues in a light-hearted way.
"I wanted to tap into younger audiences and try to get teenagers interested in coming to these shows... more interested. I think Medicine Hat audiences are open-minded... I know the "Rocky Horror Picture Show," which deals with AIDS and homosexuality did quite well."
She added she isn't worried that the taboo topics will result in empty seats, and that she has faith in audiences who are calling for theatre that makes them think.
"I personally think it gives teens a chance to think about what they may have been discussing at school, or at sleep overs. The parents, I think, need to understand the message. Sure there are some kids and parents who might think the topics are a little strong... but it might open the door to discussion, which is what I am hoping for."
"Spring Awakening" is at the Medicine Hat College Theatre on February 2-4, and 8-11, at 8 p.m., Tickets, $20 for students and $30 for the general public, and can be purchased online at tixx.ca, at the Esplanade box office, at the customer service desk at Medicine Hat Mall or at 403-502-8777.
