ROOTED IN Lasallian Values
Continuing the Conversation about Respect, Inclusion, and Belonging From March 31-April 9, the De La Salle/Carondelet Theatre Company hosted six showings of Heathers the Musical (High School Edition) in the Brother Celestine Cormier, FSC Theatre. As part of the overall theatrical experience, De La Salle and Carondelet students, along with their audiences, took part in dialog to discuss many mental health concerns present in today’s school environment. Bullying, suicide, school violence, homophobia, and troubled families, are just a few of the issues students and parents struggle with on a daily basis. Parents try to protect teenage children from many of these issues which are painful, difficult, and all too real in the lives of many children today. When it was announced that Company would do Heathers the Musical as its Spring Production, some members of the community were skeptical and asked, “Why Heathers?” Both schools are pleased that Company continues to be a place of Educational Theater. A place where art helps to enlighten, raise awareness, and open dialogue that benefits individuals involved, the audience, and the wider community. “What happens when the audience sees a character experiencing struggle, doubt, and pain? Empathy,” said Company Co-Director, Ms. Meredith Barnidge. “Our vision in choosing plays such as Heathers the Musical is to downplay the scandal, and rather expose the truth of teen experiences in this dark comedy that are expressed in sometimes absurd and exaggerated ways.”
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| Union Magazine
