1997
ALL FALL DOWN (1997)
Salina, Kansas in cooperation with Unified School District 305 (teens)
After a world war causing global destruction, a cautious group of leaders try to rebuild a society. In order to prevent a similar catastrophe from ever occurring again, they maintain tight controls turning the survivors into a cold, passionless machine-like social organism. Freedom becomes the main issue being explored, as one survivor regains her memory of a good life before the holocaust. The sub-plot involves an evil, power-hungry renegade who tries to take advantage of the compliant survivors. Eventually in a “Star Trek” style, the human spirit prevails and individual freedoms and rights are returned as the story arrives at its emotional climax.
YO, JULIET (1997)
Ft. Lauderdale, FL in cooperation with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County (teens)
A military academy is called upon to provide male actors for a production of Romeo & Juliet being staged by a nearby girl’s school. After a few rough rehearsals of translating King’s English into Ebonics, the teenage cadet cast in the role of Romeo falls in love with the young art student who plays Juliet. Sub-plots involve the failed romance between the military officer in charge of the academy and a graduate of the girl’s school who has become a famous recording star. Things get difficult when “Romeo” tests positive for AIDS. “Juliet” stays by his side and the show goes on. Near the end of the performance, there is a startling revelation that raises the question “how many have to die before we can learn to love”. Romeo turns Shakespeare’s tragedy into a triumph.