PMP is in full swing now-a-days. Scenes are being written from Pittsfield to North Adams about the real life of teens. Lots of compassion, drive, and creativity are flowing behind the scenes of our soon to be staged productions.

Last Saturday PMP hosted our “All Participant Workshop.” Amidst the sleet and freezing rain teens from all five PMP groups learned about stage direction, vocal projection, properties work, and how to lead a talk back.

As a mentor and workshop leader I was inspired by the participants drive to open up to their audience and set a shining example of self acceptance. Our scenes are deep and powerful but we make sure we throw in a humorous tone every now and then. After our workshop participants chose words like “New”, “Interesting”, and “Beaberiffic” (we enjoy singing “Baby, baby, baby oooohhh” every now and then) to define their experience.

Our extended rehearsals will begin soon and our completed scripts are going to our professional playwrights on February 14th. From now until our final performance on April 9th we will be in rehearsal and doing community performances. I am lucky enough to perform with our North Adams Thursday Afternoon Group for over 100 Berkshire high school students at the ‘411 in the 413’ youth conference.

Community performances like this one give our participants the opportunity to be roles models and leaders in their community. Each PMP group will perform at a community location. Following each performance they will hold a talk back with the audience and what role these pieces play in our society. PMP is a powerful program for both its participants and its audience and once again I am sooooooo proud to be a part of it!

You can be a part as well by joining us at our 10th Anniversary Benefit on Friday March 18th from 5 PM to 8 PM come join the celebration as we honor Education Committee Chair Sheila Richman and long-time PMP supporter Greylock Federal Credit Union AND enjoy a sneak preview of the PMP 2011 production!

Hope to see you there!

–Mallory Fehrensen, Education Intern