Shattered Lives
A New Program to Check Out!!
A
unique program by the name of Shattered Lives is being offered
to chapters nationwide. Originating in Rhode Island, the program has met with
much success. Many Rhode Island SADD chapters have used the program and have
seen an increase in both SADD membership and SADD activities. It proved to
be a very positive activity for those involved and had a significant impact
on the communities in which it was presented.
We've all heard the above before regarding activities being offered. Each
one claims to be successful and it's difficult to separate which ones are
for real and which ones are not. I cannot guarantee the success of Shattered
Lives for your school--only you can determine if you think your school
can use a program like Shattered Lives. Obviously, there are
a few steps to take first. Let me give you some background on the program,
how it works, and why it works. Here goes:
Shattered Lives is a play based on real-life situations we’ve
seen happen. While the story is fictitious, the events portrayed are ones
many of us have lived through or are living through. The storyline itself
is fairly simple: it centers around a group of seniors, with the emphasis
on a central couple, and follows them throughout their senior year. While
the play can be captured in a single sentence, there’s a lot to the story
that cannot be captured in one sentence. The play attempts to portray, as
best as possible, the reality of choices that goes on in that time of life.
Choices about the future, friends, relationships, social life, Shattered
Lives delivers a lot in one sitting. And the big thing about it? There's
no script--structural improvisation is used, allowing the students to put
actual events and feelings into the play. On top of that, the majority of
the students who have participated in Shattered Lives were students
without prior acting or stage experience.
The program is offered in the form of a production packet complete with the
materials needed to put on Shattered Lives at your own school.
The materials of this program include two components: the production manual
and professionally taped performance of Shattered Lives. The
production manual contains all the information, every possible aspect from
A to Z, necessary for producing the program at your school. Everything from
stage direction to group dynamics is included in the manual. Along with the
manual, the taped performance allows you the chance to see if you're on track
with your own production and gives you the opportunity to see changes to make.
There are many reasons why schools selected Shattered Lives
as the program of choice for their school. Some of the feedback given included
the following:
- It was a project many students were able to be involved in, at varying levels of activity
- It served to focus the direction of the club (i.e. this is what we'll be doing for the next 6 months)
- Most importantly, it served as a creative outlet for a broad range of students (given the nature of the production, many different talents were needed to pull it off).
Students
themselves enjoyed it because it was something different than the usual campaigns;
it allowed them to put their own lives into the play; and finally, they had
the unforgettable experience of standing onstage, taking their final bow in
front of friends, peers, and the community.
To get a good look at the program, it’s highly recommended that you order
the Shattered Lives Introductory Presentation. If you’re
serious about taking a closer look, this presentation will give you an excellent
overview of the program: excerpts from the play, program explanations, and
student and cast feedback. Cost information and ways of funding the program
are included—the intent is giving your school viable funding alternatives
without impacting your budget. The introductory presentation is being offered
free of charge to any interested school. Simply email
your request with name, address, and preference of either DVD or VHS format
to view. If have further questions, please contact Rob Allen at slfoundation@hotmail.com
or call (401) 782-9414.
This
program is about choice and helping students realize the effects of how even
small choices can affect those around us. It’s a message that needs to
get to all of us, in whatever way, shape, or form. Shattered Lives
is a great way to deliver this message. I hope to hear from your school soon!
Download printable pdf version
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