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For Immediate Release:
February 25, 2008
Contact: Sara Anderson
(573) 526-0407
St. Louis — The Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Division of Youth Services (DYS) announced today their partner, Spotlight Theatre, will receive $50,000 from the State Farm® Youth Advisory Board. The money will be used to continue and expand the theatre’s T.E.E.N. (Theatre Educating and Entertaining Now) program.
The Spotlight Theatre’s T.E.E.N. program began more than a year ago 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 so impressed with the genuine nature of the young people she asked that they become involved.
In October 2006, the theatre began working with the youth. Reckamp involved Playwright Margeau Baue Steinau. The two quickly realized the broad range of life experiences of DYS youth and decided to write performances based on their stories; Wasted (appropriate for males) and In My Shoes (appropriate for females). DYS youth auditioned for the parts and now travel to schools in the St. Louis area performing and leading supportive discussions with students.
“We are thrilled the theatre group is receiving this award. This program means so much to our young people. Sharing their stories and performing for local students is very therapeutic and is providing them an opportunity to share what they’ve learned and give back to their communities,” said DYS Director Tim Decker.
