Do The Wright Thing

So after watching last night's episode of Glee, it appears that Quinn is still with us, although confined to a wheelchair due to a spinal injury suffered from her car accident while texting. Ok, a little lighter touch than killing the character off completely, but still something... we'll see where they go with this.

Frank La Frazia and PMP participant accept the "Coming Up Taller" 
award from The White House, 2007. Photo courtesy 
Playwright Mentoring Program/Barrington Stage Company.

Speaking of performing teens, Barrington Stage Company's excellent Playwright Mentoring Program (PMP) will be presenting their year-end public performances this week, April 10 through 14. As stated in the company's press release, over the course of the six-month PMP program, teens create an original performance piece based on their own stories in a safe and confidential environment where they can express themselves, develop conflict resolution skills and together create a supportive community. In 2007, PMP won the prestigious “Coming Up Taller” award from the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities—the nation's highest honor for after-school arts programs.

My close friend, groomsman, and fellow RBIT-er Frank La Frazia has been the group's director for the last few years, and he does a wonderful job of assisting the students to find creative means to handle the often stressful issues faced during adolescence. "The five original plays that the teens created this year in collaboration with professional playwrights are extremely moving, inventive and theatrical," says La Frazia. "Many of the plays deal with topics such as school bullying, peer pressure, drug/alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, and family issues.”

The final performance to be held on Saturday, April 14, 2 p.m. at Barrington Stage Company, will include performances from all of the participating groups this year (except the court-mandated group). For information on tickets and to view a full schedule of this week's performances, visit the theater's website. 

Here again is the promotional video I created for the group, from a few years back:

Related Link:


Playwright Mentoring Project website