M-Uth Theater's PIECES Set for The Ware Center, 7/24-27

PIECES is an original drama with music in which young ensemble members speak out about the violence in the lives of young people across our nation, particularly gun violence. "Piece" is slang for gun.

Millersville University's M-Uth Theater is an inclusive mixed-ability ensemble comprised of at-risk and disadvantaged youth, those living with disabilities (sensory, cognitive, physical) or facing other life challenges. Some have criminal records; others have been victims of abuse. There are those that are homeless. With refugee teens in the ensemble, Spanish, Nepali, Swahili, and other languages are spoken in the productions, as is American Sign Language, with all performances ASL interpreted.

The young people who comprise the ensemble are referred to the program from a wide variety of social welfare agencies, guidance counselors, therapists, etc. These teens work together to create dramas with social justice themes pertinent to their lives and the lives of their peers around the globe. By doing so, the participants express their views on matters of consequence, giving them a real voice and empowering them to use it. The program also provides area youth with a safe haven that fosters artistic, educational, and social and emotional growth, and provides a constructive outlet for their energies. Formalized assessment is conducted to determine the efficacy of the program in building arts skills and knowledge and personal and social growth for its participants.

"Pieces" is based on a real-life shooting incident in Lancaster and includes material adapted, with permission, from Voices From The Future: Children Speak Out About Violence In America. "If you listen to the children...you will hear a message from their hearts," remarks Susan Goodwille, the book's editor.

"Well, there is surely a piece of every ensemble member's heart in this play of theirs," Kornhauser explains. "Coming from many backgrounds, they are united by a common passion to help make a difference, to examine the ways young lives are sometimes shattered by violence, the ways we might begin to pick up the pieces of those lives and put them back together, and the ways we might one day find the will and the means to exchange "pieces" for peace."

All performances are free. No tickets required. The performance is scheduled at the Ware Center | 42 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA:

Wednesday 7/24: Preview at 1 pm
Thursday 7/25: Preview at 10:30 am
Friday 7/26: Performance at 1 pm
Saturday 7/27: Performances at 2 pm and 7 pm

"Pieces" has also been honored by being one of only a handful of national plays selected to be shown at the American Alliance for Theater & Education, Washington DC on Sunday 7/28.

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