Using drama and peer education to promote parent-teen communication

Interactors warm-up for practice. Interactors studying and writing scripts.

What is InterAct? InterAct Teen to Teen Theater is a troupe of teen and young adult peer educator/actors who develop and perform short, interactive plays dealing with:  Peer pressure, self-esteem, pregnancy, abstinence, child abuse, drug/alcohol addictions suicide, violence, sexually transmitted infections, rape, HIV/AIDS, family relationships, racism, cultural diversity, eating disorders, and male responsibility. InterAct uses drama and peer education to promote parent-teen communication.  The cast provides accurate medical information and promotes responsible decision-making to decrease risky behavior among teens.  InterAct does not offer simple solutions or answers, but increases sensitivity and invites open dialogue about important issues.  Through drama, the issues are brought to life, not just talked about!

Interactors practice a technique.

InterAction The key to InterAct is audience participation.  Unresolved and open-ended questions are posed to the audience during each of the plays.  Through discussion, teens quickly realize how communication is fundamental in solving problems in their own lives.  Peer-driven theater teaches students to think about the consequences before they become reality. InterAct seeks to replace ignorance, fear, shame, and risky behaviors with  education, personal choice, informed decisions, and acceptance of personal responsibility.

2005 Interactors

History and Sponsors Created in 1992, InterAct uses drama and peer education to foster healthy communication about challenging teen and family issues, to deliver medically accurate information, and to promote healthy decision making through values clarification.  Originally conceived by the educational staff at Planned Parenthood of Mid-MO and Eastern Kansas,  InterAct has been reaching teens and adults throughout Missouri since 1992. InterAct receives support from a broad base of community organizations and individuals, including: City of Columbia, MO; Boone County, MO; Altrusa International of Columbia, MO; Sunnen Foundation, St. Louis, MO; and other private donations.

Interactors practice

What our audiences say: "Your handling of topics of vital concern to all of us was splendid."  - Jean Carnahan (Former Senator of Missouri) "The acting was so real.  Things like that really happen."  - Student, Versailles "InterAct is upbeat, but deals with real problems and real solutions."  - Student, Savannah High School "They actually let us perform with them!"  - Student, Grain Valley High School "I have seen InterAct perform numerous times, and only positive values are reflected in their art.  InterAct addresses substantive and relevant issues... such as racism, bigotry, and intolerance in a powerful way.  The message of InterAct is one of tolerance, acceptance and reconcilliation."  - George Frissell, Coordinator of Language Arts, Hickman High School

Artistic Director Shawna Kelty and Interactors

Scheduling a Performance InterAct performances are tailored to meet your group’s needs.  InterAct will design a 30, 60 or 90-minute performance dealing with any of  the teen issues from our repertoire.  Organizers are encouraged to request plays that might be appropriate for their specific situation. InterAct is designed for schools, religious youth groups, community organizations, youth seminars - practically any group of teens or young adults.

If you are interested in scheduling an InterAct perfromance please call the Artistic Director, Shawna Kelty, at 573-256-1436, or send an email to Shawna at  interact@socket.net, or write to Shawna at C/O Community Playground of  Columbia, Inc./318 Park Ave. /Columbia, MO   65201

About

Contacts

Calendar

Donations

Programs

Home