Healthy messages on theater stage
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
The state Department of Health and Honolulu Theatre for Youth are partnering to promote public and environmental health through theater statewide.
The goal is to spark discussions between schools and families about good health and well-being.
Six plays in HTY's 2006-07 season will coincide with DOH programs and initiatives.
"It is our shared mission to make a positive difference in the lives of Hawai'i's young people and families," said Chiyome Fukino, DOH director. "HTY reaches almost 100,000 children and families across the state each year, in an active and engaging manner. Laughter, understanding another's viewpoint and imaginative solutions are at the heart of theatrical work and all are very helpful when learning about new perspectives. It's an ideal way to deliver our public health messages."
The following HTY plays and DOH programs and branches will pair up during the season:
This energetic play has toured Europe and the U.S., poking fun at everything from friendly competition to shameless commercialization of the game — all while showing the healthy benefits of play.
This annual showcase for local writers takes a new format this year. In addition to short pieces by local writers and live holiday music, each performance will include a short section written by O'ahu students. The Clean Water and Solid Waste Branches will have their "story" told as well, when a fish Santa gives back all the unwanted "gifts" humans have bestowed on the sea.
The true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young victim of the Hiroshima atomic bomb disaster. This production will use masks, music, origami and traditional Japanese theatrical forms. Audiences will also learn how to prepare for an emergency situation, and receive Plan 9, a list of nine essential emergency supplies every household should have.
In the blink of an eye, a harmless prank becomes a deadly crime when two teenagers kick a rock off a freeway overpass, resulting in a fatal car crash. The boys find themselves balancing on a delicate line between mischief and manslaughter. Inspired by the 1994 death of an Australian motorist, "The Stones" retraces the events surrounding this tragedy. Using the characters in "The Stones," local playwright Yokanaan Kearns will create a short original play for Tobacco Prevention and Control to follow the performance as part of a discussion on peer pressure.
A pair of shows for very young children partners with the Hawai'i Invasive Species Program/Vector Control Branch. Using costumes and puppets, longtime HTY actor Cynthia See will bring to life important health issues related to creeping critters and irritating insects.
This classic Filipino story, commissioned as part of the 100th anniversary of Filipinos in Hawai'i, has plenty of comedy, original music and puppetry woven in with messages about keeping our environment clean.
Information: 586-4434 or www.htyweb.org.
Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.
