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For Immediate Release:
March 29, 2007
Contact: Ana Compain-Romero
(573) 751-4815
St. Louis – The Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Division of Youth Services (DYS) has announced a unique partnership with the St. Louis’ Spotlight Theatre. The theatre expressed an interest in the life stories of the youth and encouraged them to share the experiences that led them to this point in their lives. From this, the development of programs performed for local schools was born.
“This program helps our youth share their experiences and better understand the issues they’re facing,” DYS Division Director Tim Decker said. “These young people’s experiences, which may have in many ways been a liability for them, are now reframed as a source of learning and experience that they are sharing with others.”
The program initially began last fall when the Spotlight Theatre performed for DYS youth at the Missouri Hills facility in St. Louis. Part of the performance included audience interaction with the youth. Pamela Reckamp, founder of the Spotlight Theatre, was impressed with the genuine nature of the youth and asked that they become involved.
"This project has been so successful that is has transformed into something more than we had first envisioned," said Reckamp. "We are enjoying every moment working with these teens. Playwright Margeau Baue Steinau has taken their real life stories and created two amazing productions with music, movement, and poetry. The plays are opening a unique door for learning not only for those watching the performances but for us at the theatre and the youth performing."
In October 2006, the theatre began working with the youth. Reckamp and Steinau realized the broad range of life experiences DYS youth had and decided to write performances based on those; Bring It (appropriate for males) and In My Shoes (appropriate for females). DYS youth auditioned for the parts and now travel to local schools performing for students.
“This is a win-win situation for everyone,” Decker said. “Our youth are learning about themselves and building confidence; local students are learning through the experiences of others; and professional members of the performing arts community are serving as role models and teachers for some of our most vulnerable young people.”
DYS is encouraging other facilities in the state to work with performing artists to develop similar programs. The group’s next performances include Parkway North High School April 12th and Evangelical Children’s Home April 27th. For more information on the program or to request a performance at a local school, please call (314) 412-6848.
