What a Riot!

Mady Schutzman uses some interesting strategies to engage the youth she worked with.  Not only were her strategies interesting, but so were her insights about the project as a whole.  One of the main strategies she used and that I found fascinating was having the kids learn about the person they were supposed to portray.  She had these kids researching and learning about crimes and violence, which is not usually what kids do or are exposed too.  She watched and waited for their reactions and questions, which then later informed her process and direction.  Her method of exposing kids to these harsh realities is breaking the usual form of our world and of children's theater.  This new form coupled with allowing the kids to help write the script and choose their characters gave UPSET! a unique concept and made it a truly unique show.