Sheatre, a professional community arts company located near Owen Sound, brings its production of “Far from the Heart” to Laurentian University this week.
The performance is an award-winning interactive forum theatre play about consent and sexual violence.
During a 34-show tour across the province this fall, it will be seen by 5,000 students in grades 7-12, as well as in university.
Funded for the third year by the Ontario Arts Council, the play engages and educates teens about the different forms of pressure and violence in dating relationships, exploring the issues that lie beneath this behaviour.
Audience members have the opportunity to step into action and change the outcome of the scenarios performed on stage.
As a result, students get a rehearsal for reality, learning through theatre how to resolve conflicts, negotiate relationships, and avoid risk.
A half-hour discussion with professional counsellors from local community groups immediately follows each show.
"Far From the Heart / Loin du Coeur gives young people the opportunity to talk about, role play and viscerally learn about some of the complexities of dating and sexual relationships, and to turn grey territory, like consent, into crystal clear knowledge and social change,” Sheatre artistic director Joan Chandler said in a press release.
“We can see the penny dropping when people get it. The conversations are engaged, and the interactions are riveting to watch unfold. Because together, as the kids play this exciting theatre game, they’re teaching each other how to safely help someone, about what is or isn’t okay, and about asking if they’re not clear.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if no one ever again had to say, 'Me Too'?”
Performances take place at the Alphonse Raymond Auditorium Oct. 23 in French and at the West Residence Common Room Oct. 26 in English, starting at 6:30 p.m. both evenings.
The French performance is open to the whole community, while the English performance is open to the university community. Admission is free of charge.
