Wednesday, November 14, 2018 4:00 AM
This Thursday, the Sugar Creek Players Youth Troupe will be performing their show, “Beneath the Surface,” at the new collaborative arts space on the 3rd floor of Fusion 54. Following the performance there will be a deliberation on mental health facilitated by the Wabash Democracy and Public Discourse initiative. The purpose of the event is to use the play as a starting point for discussing issues of mental health as they impact local Montgomery County teens. All teenagers in the county are invited to attend the free event from 6-8 p.m.
There are four teenagers the audience follows. Juana, a Hispanic immigrant, is struggling with cultural and language barriers. Veronica, an outspoken teen activist, must grapple with inconsistencies between her public and private life. Jasper, an artist and teen on the autism spectrum, tries to navigate his way through social interactions which can be difficult for him. Lastly, Alex, a devout Christian, has a deep secret that could tear down their whole world.
The purpose of the show was to offer a realistic insight into the lives of everyday teenagers living in Montgomery County.
Director of the program, Zachary Anderson, said, “We know that there have been a lot of issues of mental health impacting local teens. The youth troupe made this show for themselves and their peers. We hope this event can provide a space for these students to safely and productively connect over issues they face everyday.”