DETROIT – On Thursday, March 20, and Friday, March 21, Teen HYPE (Helping Youth by Providing Education) presents its 10th anniversary play, “Secrets,” taking place at the Millennium Center, 15600 J L Hudson Drive, Southfield, Michigan. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person, plus a processing fee, at www.teenhype.org.
Since 2004, Teen HYPE’s signature youth theater production has educated Metro Detroit youth, both onstage and off, about the extreme social challenges facing urban teens: gang violence, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, domestic violence and the spread of HIV.
A production of Teen HYPE’s Peer Education Program, this year’s play showcases the writing talents of several of the organization’s peer educators: Akil Alvin, Shantinque Clark, Tiffany Hubbard, Betty Pride and Deanna Watson. This written-by-the-youth-for-the-youth play also stars Teen HYPE’s peer educators, as with all of the plays produced by the 501(C)(3). Watch the trailer.
“Secrets” sets out to empower urban youth to become ready for the world using relatable storytelling that captures one’s emotions through humor and disturbing truth. Ambra Redrick, Teen HYPE executive director and co-founder, says this year’s play promises to be a “landmark production.”
“Our 2014 community play celebrates 10 years of tremendous achievement,” Redrick says. “In that time, Teen HYPE has helped hundreds of our alumni become ready for the world—ready to attend college, ready to gain steady employment, ready to enter healthy relationships, ready to experience financial stability, and so on. You name it and we’ve prepared our teens for it. We focus on developing the whole individual, as opposed to only one aspect of their lives.”
Once again welcoming the directorial talents of Henri Franklin (“Days of our Lives,” Project Theater Company and several of Teen HYPE’s plays), “Secrets” highlights the precocious wisdom of Teen HYPE’s youth—focusing on the negative consequences that unfold when we are less than transparent or honest.
“This play represents extremely progressive thinking by our writers and actors,” Redrick says. “It isn’t until later in life that individuals may experience how keeping secrets can lead to disappointing affects—feelings of shame or unfulfilled aspirations. We encourage parents and young people alike to see this play. We strive to present how liberating it is to bring our secrets out of the darkness and into the light,” says Redrick, whose extensive background in social work has helped Teen HYPE to change the lives of hundreds of Detroit teens since 2004.
Tickets and Event Details
“Secrets” takes place Thursday, March 20, and Friday, March 21, at the Millennium Center, 15600 J L Hudson Drive, Southfield, Michigan. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m.
Buy tickets now at www.teenhype.org. Ticket prices are $15 per person in advance, slightly higher at the door. Proceeds help support Teen HYPE’s mission of empowering urban youth to thrive.
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