• Boomerang : recognizing and preventing bullying behavior
• When No Means No: recognizing and preventing date rape
• comPASSION: HIV / AIDS prevention and education
• In/Dependence: preventing teen pregnancy and understanding the responsibilities of parenting
• Acting Your R/age: resolving conflict and finding alternatives to violence
• Killer Pain: substance abuse prevention and family relationships
• You Be The Judge: judging the effects of prejudice
• Decisions, Decisions, Decisions: decision-making skills
• Sticks and Stones: how name-calling, bullying and rumors create unhealthy schools
• Disconnection: exploring isolation and exclusion in schools
• Lifeline: exploring relationships that are controlling and have the potential to become violent
• No Ifs, No Butts: tobacco use prevention and refusal skills
• Support Systems : strategies for youth to speak openly with adults and peers about difficult subjects in relationships
• Y dui T? : Driving under the influence; helps young people to recognize the peer pressure, poor judgment and bad planning that can lead to danger.
  

FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

• Keeping Secrets: exploring situations where silence can be harmful

FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

• Same Difference: diversity
• An I For an Eye for an Aye: resolving conflict and finding alternatives to violence
• Feeling No Pain: substance abuse prevention and family relationships
• Heartsounds: making and maintaining healthy friendships
• You Decide: decision-making skills
  
  
  

ALSO FOR ADULTS AND SENIORS

• Every Part of Me: coping with the emotional issues related to breast cancer
• Life Journeys: reflecting on the journeys we make over a lifetime (for senior audiences)
• You Don't Understand: to create the possibility for intergenerational communication and sharing (for senior audiences)
• Lifeline: exploring the challenges of escaping an abusive partner
• Big C/little see: exploring the challenges of suspected illness
• Surprise: exploring with humor a range of situations where seniors are pressured by others (for senior audiences)

MORE INFORMATION

• Evaluation of STOP-GAP interactive plays
• Student and teacher responses to STOP-GAP plays
• How to request a STOP-GAP play
• Partnership with Schools
• Available for support groups, health care professionals, conferences and community education.

SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TURN TO STOP-GAP each day for award-winning theatre programs that empower students and support educational goals. STOP-GAP plays are:

Interactive: Each STOP-GAP play begins with a scripted performance that carefully builds to a critical turning point. The STOP-GAP Team then invites individuals to participate, suggesting realistic solutions to the problems facing the characters, and using input from the audience to improvise a variety of outcomes.

Safe and effective: Each 40 to 50 minute play is performed in your school or classroom. Familiar environments, small audiences and STOP-GAP's diverse and experienced cast encourage audience members to identify with the characters, and lead to a greater level of comfort and participation. Our greatest concern is the safety and comfort of the audience -- although our plays examine real-life issues, we are careful to respect and support the values of the educational environment.

Available for your organization: Thanks to the generous support of our donors, many schools and youth-serving organizations are be able to receive STOP-GAP performances at little or no cost. 

Scheduling and Audience Information

If you are interested in providing your students with a unique learning opportunity-one that supports your curriculum and classroom activities-please contact us today. STOP-GAP Touring Plays can be scheduled by calling Rhonda Hougard at (714) 979-7061 (or 1-800-381-8481 in L.A. only) or by e-mail at get-info@stopgap.org .

STOP-GAP performs for small groups of children and teens (35-50 participants):

• Elementary school audiences should not exceed 35 students.

• Middle school audiences should not exceed 35 students.

• High school audiences should not exceed 50 students.

CURRENT PLAY ABSTRACTS

WHEN NO MEANS NO was a very powerful presentation. In seeing this I think it will help me to deal with a situation of date rape if it should ever happen to me." - Student, John F. Kennedy High School, La Palma

"The play taught that if she said 'no' it means 'no'. It taught me also to treat women with respect."
     - Ramiro, High School Student after seeing WHEN NO MEANS N

Reason for the Program

• One out of every three American women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime.
• 78% of rape victims know the attacker.
• One in twelve male students surveyed had committed acts that met the legal definition of rape. 84% of the men who had committed such acts said what they had done was definitely not rape.
  (National Victim Center Report, 1992)

Audience
WHEN NO MEANS NO is recommended for grades 7 through 12, college and adult groups.

Program Description
In WHEN NO MEANS NO , young men and women participate together in an interactive    presentation that explores issues related to acquaintance rape. In the play, the character of Susan was raped on a date, when she was 16. Through flashbacks, we understand the impact of that violence on Susan, her family, friends and husband. Special emphasis is given to understanding individual rights and responsibilities.

IN / DEPENDENCE

"Some of the ideas brought up really opened my mind . . . . I learned that being lonely, needing love, or wanting companionship are no reasons for having a child. I'm certainly going to think very carefully before I have a child of my own." -Kerrie, middle school student, after participating in In/Dependence

About IN/DEPENDENCE

IN/DEPENDENCE is an interactive presentation, which focuses on teen pregnancy prevention by exploring parenthood. The consequences, responsibilities and reality of caring for a child are identified and investigated by posing the question, "What would happen if people had to apply for a parenting license?" By focusing on the skills and commitment necessary for healthy parenting, IN/DEPENDENCE aims to raise awareness of the consequences of sexual activity. The goal of IN/DEPENDENCE is prevention of too-early parenting. By experiencing the role of parents, participants will understand why prevention of too-early parenthood is desirable. By exploring the needs of children they will understand that babies have a right to be born to parents who are prepared to welcome them and who are able to meet their needs.

SAME DIFFERENCE

"I really appreciated the time you took to talk to us and how honest you were. Your presentation symbolizes what our world has come to now. People are prejudiced and don't care to find out what the person is like and if they are really human. All people are human and should be treated equally. Thank you for the great impact of that presentation and taking the time for us."
- Sarah, 8th grader

Audience
SAME DIFFERENCE can be scheduled for grades 3 through 6.

Program Description
SAME DIFFERENCE is an interactive presentation about accepting and celebrating diversity through reduction of prejudice. During the presentation, it is our goal to explore what makes people seem different and to experience what makes them the same. Through role-play, audience members rehearse steps that each person can take to increase tolerance and understanding in our schools and communities.

YOU BE THE JUDGE

"If a new student comes to our class and he or she is different in some way I will be his or her friend, no matter what the student looks like." - Kimberly, after participating in YOU BE THE JUDGE

About YOU BE THE JUDGE

You Be The Judge explores what can happen in a family and amongst friends when one young person dates or befriends another who is seen by others as 'different.' Exploring the reasons why we come to think of others as 'different' from ourselves, the play examines how a 'difference' can become the most discussed aspect of a relationship, drawing important focus away from what is shared. You Be The Judge works to resolve misunderstandings and difficulties when someone is perceived as 'different' and promotes harmony, mutual respect, and understanding.

ACTING YOUR R / AGE

"More teens today die from gunshot wounds than from all natural causes combined." - The Annals of Internal Medicine

"Homicide is now the third leading cause of death for elementary and middle school children." - Children's Defense Fund

Reason for the Program
Children grow up surrounded by violence - in the media, at school, at home - and commonly learn that violence is the most effective, or the only way to achieve their goals. The roots of violence go deep, especially when violence is a part of life from the earliest years. 80% of juvenile offenders come from homes where domestic violence has occurred.

"80% of 10- to 12-year olds say they want to know more about being safe from violence. 68% of 10- to 12-year olds say they want to know more about how to avoid a gang."
     - "Talking with Kids About Tough Issues",
      sponsored by Kaiser Family Foundation,
      Children Now and the Advertising Council.

Audience
An I for an Eye for an Aye is recommended for grades 3 through 6 Acting Your R/age is recommended for grades 7 through 12

Program Description
An I for an Eye for an Aye explores alternatives to violence for conflict resolution. The STOP-GAP team illustrates assertive (You and Me), passive (Only Me) and aggressive (Me Only) behaviors and their consequences. Following that demonstration, the team then works with the audience in breakout groups to apply those concepts to real life situations. At the end of the workshop, each group shows the rest of the audience the ideas that they have generated for conflict resolution without violence.

Acting Your R/age approaches the same issues using a different format for older students. After demonstrating the escalation of a situation towards conflict, the STOP-GAP team and the student audience explore alternatives to violence for resolution.

YOU DECIDE

"I think the play will help me in the future because it has teached (sic) me to make my own decisions and speak up for what I want." - Elementary School Student after seeing YOU DECIDE

Reason for the Program
Our children make life-changing decisions at younger and younger ages. It is not unusual for a 7 or 8 year old to be offered drugs or be drawn into a gang. Choices that children make in school form their future decision-making patterns, and, as a result, their life paths. A child's decisions are shaped by outside factors, such as parents and other role-models, and also by how the child values himself or herself. The more alternatives that a child is aware of, the more options he or she has. Understanding options and experiencing decision-making are the learning tools with which a child can learn to make healthy choices.

Audience
YOU DECIDE is recommended for grades 3 through 5.

Program Description
YOU DECIDE Is an interactive presentation that gives younger students the decision-making skills to make safe and informed choices about the many critical issues that confront them each day. During the break out sessions that follow the short play, audience members learn to evaluate options available to them in any situation, recognize the choices to be made, weigh the consequences for actions, experience making a decision, and discuss ways to implement the decision. Each group also creates a scene, illustrating decision-making, to show to them rest of the group or class when they reconvene.

KEEPING SECRETS

"I have been blaming myself for things in my family, but now I realize that I did not make the problems my family has. The play helped me stop blaming myself."  - Johnny, student,  Pico Elementary School, Santa Ana after seeing KEEPING SECRETS

"It taught me not to be afraid to tell people when you have a problem and to go get help. Someone will listen." - Jennifer, 6th grader, Bell Gardens Intermediate School, Bell Gardens after seeing KEEPING SECRETS

KILLER PAIN

"Definitely one of the best plays I have seen. When I walked into the room I thought it was going to be a lecture, "like always", but this one made me understand what it really means to be a "drug user". I have experimented and admit this, but not until now, today when I witnessed this play, did I truly understand that I'm not the only one that feels pain, love and joy. I'm not the only one that has problems. This play has put things in perspective, something I have been trying to do for quite a while."

There are many normal teens who are involved with drugs. Not all drug users are noticeable; "smart" kids can be stupid, too! There are drugs at most parties, dances and sometimes even at school! It's very scary. STOP-GAP brought this problem out in the open and left phone numbers for those seeking help!" - 10th grade students, after seeing STOP-GAP presentation KILLER PAIN

Reason for the Program
Alcohol and other drugs are used as painkillers by many children and youth who need to numb the pain caused by unhealthy or uncaring family environments, failure and other "risk" factors. In addition, peer pressure, glamorous advertising (in the case of alcohol and tobacco), and the perception that their parents approve of or do not care what they do, cause many children to become addicted at an early age.

Audience
KILLER PAIN is recommended for grades 7 through 12.
FEELING NO PAIN is recommended for grades 3 through 6.

Program Description
KILLER PAIN and FEELING NO PAIN lead audience members to understand the use of chemical substances as protection against feelings of inadequacy and pain. The interactive presentations also explore alternative choices, including seeking support from various school and community resources.

HEARTSOUNDS

"The presentation made me understand a lot of things. I hope this presentation helped my friend Brenda understand that my other friend could be her friend too and we could all have fun together." - Dana, after participating in HEARTSOUNDS

About HEARTSOUNDS

In English, we use the word "friend" to describe people in a wide range of relationships to us. We don't differentiate between the friend who offers to get drugs for us, and the friend who questions why we want to use those drugs - unhealthy friends or healthy friends. Without critical distinctions between friends who harm us and friends who help us, we are frequently unable to recognize danger and protect ourselves from it. In STOP-GAP's presentation for elementary students, HEARTSOUNDS , we explore how to identify and form healthy friendships. By learning to listen with our hearts, we hear what is really being communicated between people.

LIFELINE

By Fionnuala Kenny

"The topic of our performance was Lifeline, which dealt with abuse in dating. This is a very appropriate topic for our students at their adolescent age. I know this program benefited our students by listening to their comments after the show." - Nick Bryan, Principal

About LIFELINE for high schools

Lifeline explores teen dating relationships that are controlling and have the potential to become violent. Appealing to students in grades 8 through 12, Lifeline focuses on prevention and the recognition of warning signs for abusive relationships such as controlling, possessive and exclusive behavior.

NO IFs, NO BUTTS

By Fionnuala Kenny

"I was so impressed with the impact the performance had on my students. The dramatic performance engaged their interest, generated dialog and encouraged lively interaction and thought provoking discussion. This was the most outstanding anti-tobacco program I have ever seen presented to a group of teens. - Tyra Demateis, Teacher

About NO IFS, NO BUTTS

No Ifs, No Butts explores the difficulties that one family experiences when one of them is found smoking. Focusing on health-related concerns, the play identifies the potential for damage when secrecy, false promises and deception make their appearance as the smoker tries to hide the truth. Being honest about the difficulties of stopping this habit, the play focuses the attention of the audience on examining the most important issue surrounding cigarette smoking - "How can I protect myself from starting?"

STICKS & STONES

By Fionnuala Kenny

"When my cousins called me names because of my outside appearance I always felt sad. But now, after your great performance, I don't feel bad anymore." - Alisa, after participating in STICKS & STONES

About STICKS & STONES

Sticks & Stones explores how the school environment can be made hostile and unfriendly for some students when rituals are acted out without sufficient concern about their effect on others. Focusing on 'normal' school activities of friendship circles, dating behavior and cliques, Sticks & Stones explores how these activities can become unsafe when aggression and hostility become involved. Spreading rumors, telling jokes, playing pranks and refusing to speak to people can quickly make school a hostile environment, forcing people to take sides and creating tension and drama. Sticks & Stones creates scenes that identify a range of behaviors that can cause problems for others, reminding us of strategies to avoid being drawn in and identifying ways in which we can be helpful, rather than hurtful to others.

DISCONNECTION

By Fionnuala Kenny

"I have seen STOP-GAP plays before, when I was in elementary school, and I have always come out of them having learned something. Thank you so much for putting these wonderful plays on for us to watch and learn from." - Alexandra, a middle school student

About DISCONNECTION

Disconnection focuses on a young person who is unhappy at school. In the opening, we learn how it feels when one of our classmates does not think they belong to the school community. Feelings of detachment and alienation make it difficult for others to communicate with her. This in turn leads to further distancing until she is spending most of their time alone, is not joining in activities, and is not doing well academically. Working to identify the causes that underlie this behavior, the play examines how difficult it can be for everyone when a young person is struggling and unable to communicate. Identifying that we all feel alienated sometimes, the play examines a range of strategies for identifying when someone is feeling 'left out' and focuses on positive approaches to bring them into the life of the school.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS

"The actors helped me and my fellow classmates find out there is more than one solution to our problems. I will use the knowledge they have given me in the future." - Frank, after participating in Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

"The show helped us see the importance of not making rash decisions, of thinking about our actions, and doing what we really want to do instead of what others want us to do."   -Glenda, a high school student after participating in Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

About DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions is an interactive presentation that gives students the decision-making skills to make safe and informed choices about the many critical issues that confront them each day. Through interaction with the STOP-GAP Team, audience members are able to evaluate options available to them in any situation, recognize the choices to be made, weigh the consequences for actions, experience making a decision, and discuss ways to implement the decision.

SUPPORT SYSTEMS

"During the presentation, as the situations would build you had volunteers come into the play and give advice, that in itself was a learning experience. We actually had to put ourselves in a situation and act on it, instead of the situation just being acted out for us." - Lauren, after participating in a STOP-GAP interactive presentation

About SUPPORT SYSTEMS

SUPPORT SYSTEMS asks the question, "Why is it so easy to have sex and so hard to talk about it?" Through this interactive play, participants learn and demonstrate an effective array of communication skills and strategies to use in speaking with a parent or partner about sex and contraception. The STOP-GAP team will emphasize assertiveness and refusal skills, empathy in listening to and counseling friends or family members about sex, and understanding one's rights and responsibilities in interpersonal and sexual relationships.

SURPRISE

By Fionnuala Kenny

"The topic of the presentation dealt with knowing how to deal with an unexpected salesperson.  Those who attended [the performance] seemed to be quite caught up in the interactive aspect of the presentation and were open about sharing their ideas and concerns." - Vickie Wiles, Program Assistant, Fullerton Senior Center

About SURPRISE

Surprise  explores a range of situations in which someone calling unexpectedly can catch a person at home off guard.  In the play, each unexpected caller wants something - to sell something, to borrow something or to ask a favor.  Focusing on how persuasive people can be when they catch us off guard, Surprise identifies useful strategies that can prevent us from responding to pressure and that can help us to be firm with unexpected callers.

BIG C / LITTLE SEE

By Fionnuala Kenny

"The STOP-GAP players were wonderful and had a very personal and at times comic way of dealing with the issue of illness in the play." - Jan Koriath, Recreation Coordinator, Oasis Senior Services

About BIG C/little see

Big C/little see explores the difficulties faced by a woman who fears that she may have breast cancer. A single mother, sole supporter of her family, and with a demanding career, the discovery of a small lump throws her into a panic. She weighs the pro's and con's of taking immediate action and with the audience's help, seeks immediate medical advice. The play follows the character through the difficulties of telling those who are most influential in her life, her family, her boss and her friends, to ensure that she gets the support she needs. It charts the difficult emotional journey that a person makes on discovery of an illness. Ending on a message of hope, the play identifies strategies that can help us to support those close to us who have an illness, and assures us that is we discover we are ill, there is hope at hand.

EVERY PART OF ME

Original production of EVERY PART OF ME sponsored by PacifiCare Health Systems with the support and guidance of The Susan G. Komen Foundation, Orange County Chapter

Reason for the Program
Breast cancer is one of the most critical medical problems facing women today. As women age, the likelihood of developing breast cancer increases, with the incidence among women aged 50 to 54 being nearly twice as great as that among women aged 40 to 44. At present, there is no means of preventing breast cancer. We can only prevent deaths due to breast cancer through early diagnosis and treatments.

LIFE JOURNEYS

"The actors made the seniors feel very comfortable in participating, and because the seniors were empowered, the ideas just seemed to flow. Several seniors who did not even plan to come in the room participated in the dramas. They had a chance to see that their thoughts and ideas count." - Mary Andrusky, Programs Coordinator, City of Westminster

About Life Journeys

Audiences have the opportunity to join the fun of embarking on a journey with the talented team of STOP-GAP improvisational actors. So pack up your sense of humor, dust off your photo album from past trips down memory lane, and join the STOP-GAP team as we use all of the car's gears: "reverse" (to the past), shift into "drive" and briefly "park" in the present, before then surging into "overdrive" as we cruise right into the future.

YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND

Program Description
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND is an interactive play which deals with the difficulties family members of different generations have in communicating with each other. STOP-GAP actors take on the role of a teen who is having trouble communicating with his/her parents. Failing to resolve the issue, the advice and guidance of a grandparent is sought. Using participants in the role of wise grandparents, the audience is empowered to suggest alternative ways of resolving the issue, to use their life experience positively and to give guidance to both parties on how to communicate more effectively.

Reason for the Program
Through Interactive Theatre, STOP-GAP offers seniors the opportunity to improve their communication skills and self-esteem while at the same time nurturing their own special creativity.

Audience
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND is recommended for senior groups.

PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOLS

In addition to single classroom performances, STOP-GAP also works in partnership with schools and school districts to create longer term programs. Examples of these formats include:

• A series of STOP-GAP's health-related plays, scheduled throughout the year to correspond to health class curriculum.

BIRTH RIGHTS : A three-part series of interactive plays focusing on teen pregnancy prevention. Designed for high-risk youth in alternative high schools, correctional facilities and parenting teen programs, this expanded program offers a more in-depth look at teen pregnancy causes and consequences. This teen pregnancy prevention program is made possible by a grant from the California Health Department, Office of Family Planning.

Y dui T? (Why do it?)

An estimated 513,000 people are injured in alcohol related crashes every year. Approximately 59 people every hour or 1 person every minute .
( National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA 2003)

Based on the latest Mortality data available, motor vehicle crashes are the the leading cause of death for people from 15-20 years old. ( NHTSA 2003)
In 2002, 29% of 15-20 year old drivers killed in crashes had been drinking. 24% were intoxicated. (NHTSA 2003).

In “Y dui T” , STOP-GAP creates a character who gets into a situation where they are tempted to drive, even though they have been drinking. Lack of planning, unwillingness to take responsibility for actions and poor communication have lead to a situation where the choice to drive after drinking may seem less dangerous then it really is.

Using the STOP-GAP Method of Interactive Theatre, the play helps young people to recognize the peer pressure, poor judgment and bad planning that can lead the main character into danger. Following the progress of the character on the night in question, the participating audience are empowered to interact with the character and suggest alternative strategies that will lead to better and safer outcomes.

The decision to drive after even one drink has far-reaching and serious consequences for anyone under the age of 21. Exploring how such a situation arises empowers the participating audience to experience the serious consequences that can result from impulsive, poorly thought out actions. By providing a dramatic framework in which students understand and experience how actions have consequences, STOP-GAP gives youth the opportunity to ‘rehearse' challenging life situations before they encounter them, giving them the necessary tools to make choices that are healthful, furthering their life plans and helping them achieve their life goals and ambitions.

“Young drivers between 15-20 are more often involved in alcohol related crashes than any other comparable age group” Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2002.