Dallas Children’s Theater world premieres dont u luv me? this week

by PegNews wire

DCT’s Young Adult Relevant Drama (YARD) confronts teen dating violence and its horrifying outcomes in a courageous new play for young adults. Made possible in part through the M.R. & Evelyn Hudson Foundation, DCT presents the world premiere of dont u luv me? by award-winning playwright Linda Daugherty, from April 3 through April 26 at Rosewood Center for Family Arts.

This powerful world premiere completes a trilogy that began with The Secret Life of Girls, addressing girl bullying, followed by EAT (It’s Not About Food), about eating disorders. dont u luv me? explores the small warning signs that escalate into aggression and violence while encouraging young people to make choices that result in healthy relationships. Nancy Schaeffer, DCT’s Education Director and director of the play, comments, “We know from experience that the best way to reach young people is not to shy away from unpleasant behavior and its devastating consequences. We aim to give our youth the tools to do it right.” DCT’s YARD reaffirms its commitment to presenting challenging, edgy and thought-provoking material for teen audiences with dont u luv me?

Sophomore Angela has a new boyfriend, a senior named C.J, and she’s never felt this way before. All her friends agree, “he’s the hottest thing ever!” He’s romantic. He sends her flowers. He texts her day and night. C.J.’s affection eventually becomes possessive, as he starts demanding more and more of her time and that she agree to his every wish. Although Angela begins to sense that something isn’t right, she gives up her friends, her studies and everything that she once valued, such as working on the school newspaper. Making matters worse, C.J. has his own personal family struggles, and the relationship spirals dangerously downward as C.J. becomes more controlling, and Angela more isolated. When C.J. turns physically violent, her terror leaves her paralyzed and alone. Can she find the strength to tell her oldest friend, Jen, her terrible secret? Will she find the support she needs to break free?

Set designer Randel Wright conveys the power of manipulation and control with a large video screen center stage where photos and text messaging loom menacingly over the action. A veil of technology facilitates the dominance of Angela’s oppressor, where cell phones play a suffocating role. Music and contemporary songs pulled together by sound designer Marco Salinas portray escalating violence and the confusion Angela experiences as she struggles to escape.

Making her DCT debut is University of North Texas Drama student Lauren Rosen as Angela. Montgomery Sutton, who began taking acting class at DCT at the age of three and who recently graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Acting Program, returns to Dallas to play C.J. under his first Actors’ Equity Association contract. An ensemble rounds out the cast, and due to the importance of capturing the authentic spirit and speech patterns of teenagers, several high school age actors play vital roles.

This brave study aims to start a conversation in homes, schools and communities, providing the opportunity to ask questions and define healthy dating. Playwright Linda Daugherty states, “As evidenced by the recent attack on pop-star Rihanna by her celebrity boyfriend Chris Brown, the problem of dating aggression desperately needs to be addressed. In 2007 the Texas Legislature required that all schools incorporate domestic violence education in the classroom, but unlike a lecture or textbook, live theater makes a tremendous impact. There is power in age appropriate material that enables an audience to identify with its characters going through the consequences of bad behavior. It is a story that needs to be told.”

On Friday, April 3rd, following the 7:30 p.m. opening night performance, DCT will host a special panel discussion led by esteemed experts on the issue of domestic violence. Panel participants include Ellicia Money & Sarah Paskman of The Family Place, Dr. Tyler Wooten of Children’s Medical Center, Dr. Susan Sugarman of Girls to Women Health and Wellness, and the REDBOOK and Liz Claiborne Inc. MADE Action Leader, Nicole Nixon.

dont u luv me? runs from April 3 – April 26 with no performances on Easter weekend. Purchase tickets online or by calling 214-740-0051.

Posted by Shawn