The Teens of CPT's Student Theatre Enrichment Program Channel Bertolt Brecht

When you hear "family-oriented theater in the park", the last thing you'd expect is a student-written adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children, the scathing play about a family dealing with the effects of war, conflict, and loss. Yet Cleveland Public Theatre Education Director Chris Siebert thinks it's just the ticket for today's urban youth. "We're used to working with students who use violence to solve their problems," she says. "I wanted to do a piece that let us explore these issues, and look at the need for kids to speak out."

The bold choice is nothing new for CPT's Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP). The free touring performances created by this unique program are always a don't-miss: a thrilling combination of dance, movement, drumming, singing, and acting. Each year STEP takes a world theater classic and retells it with a spin, making it relevant for contemporary families. I remember taking my saucer-eyed 5-year-old granddaughter to STEP's version of Lorca's Blood Wedding several years ago: she was both enchanted and riveted.

But the behind-the-scenes story of STEP is as exciting as what's on stage. This unique summer jobs program takes 32 urban teenagers and puts them through a 25 hour-per-week theatre boot camp that would stagger most adults. In under 6 weeks, they learn performance techniques, write and create a piece from scratch, rehearse it, build it -- then perform it on tour for 2 weeks through parks and spaces around the city. In the process, they also learn discipline, cooperation, communication skills -- while studying under some of the finest experimental theatre artists in the U.S.

I asked Siebert about a typical student work day. "We like the kids to arrive early -- to build good work habits, play the piano, look over lines, have healthy food. Then we start with a super-rigorous hour of physical/vocal training, the type of ensemble work that (Artistic Director) Raymond Bobgan does. At the end of it, everyone is drenched in sweat."

After a break, the kids break into smaller groups with individual instructors, focusing on drumming, singing, writing, performing, and tech work. Scenes are developed -- some with physical actions, some with dialogue, and the play begins to takes shape. Within a few weeks, they're already in rehearsal mode.

In the STEP adaptation While I'm Here On This Earth, the focus is on a young woman who doesn't speak. (Brecht scholars will recognize the mute sister Cattrin as the inspiration.) As she loses brother after brother to war, to violence, even to love, she must come to grips with why she doesn't speak for herself. "I keep thinking about the situation we are in, with this war," says Siebert. "Every STEP graduating class has had kids going straight into the military -- it's one of the few opportunities available for inner city kids. I want them to be able to think critically when they are approached by a recruiter," she says.

Though the content has heft, the outdoor performance itself is active and physical, in order to engage all ages. "We want a story that will appeal to teens and adults, yet have plenty for younger kids to watch," says Siebert. "Raymond did a special workshop with the students, where he developed an exciting sequence with a 10-foot ladder. That's definitely something to look forward to."

The STEP tour has a list of funders a mile long, including local foundations and corporations, but its special angels are individual City Council Members, who allocate from their community funds for STEP to tour in their wards. "Councilpersons are our superheroes," says Siebert. "It's not just the money: it's the contacts, the promotion, hooking us up with the development corporations, finding us the right place in the Ward to perform. Their support is crucial."

While I'm Here on this Earth opens 7/31 @ 7PM at Herman Park, W. 58th and Herman. For full tour info, visit http://www.cptonline.org

From Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein lindaATcoolcleveland.com
(:divend:)