Roanoke Children's Theatre Presents Production That Focuses On Overscheduled And Stressed Out Youth

One of the most pressing concerns in Roanoke area schools is overscheduled and stressed out youth who don't know how to manage their stress in healthy ways (based on feedback from the RCT4TEENS Coalition). These over stressed teens often engage in harmful behaviors. Roanoke Children's Theatre aims to shed light on this issue and offer ways to cope and de-stress in today's fast-paced world through their upcoming production of THE BOY AT THE EDGE OF EVERYTHING. Part of RCT4TEENS, there will be public performances of THE BOY AT THE EDGE OF EVERYTHING on February 28 and March 1, 2019. Performances will be held in the Black Box Theatre at the Jefferson Center (541 Luck Avenue SW).

THE BOY AT THE EDGE OF EVERYTHING, written by Finegan Kruckemeyer, will delve into the effects of the over-scheduled life of Simon Ives. In addition to over-scheduling, this play also covers the chaos that people deal with in their lives, the constant noise and interruptions, and the effects on a boy who tries to do everything.

"Part Twilight Zone and part Our Town, THE BOY AT THE EDGE OF EVERYTHING is for ages 8 to 88 and anyone who tries to cram as much as they possibly can into a single day," says Pat Wilhelms (RCT Artistic Director and BOY Director). "It is full of humor and also begs us to pause and try to find moments of stillness, of just being. Life should be more than chaos."

RCT4TEENS is a program that provides a unique and creative approach to connecting with young people about current health issues through a theatre arts experience. In the past, RCT4TEENS has presented plays dealing with texting and driving, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, eating disorders, bullying, underage drinking, depression, suicide and the teen brain. Each RCT4TEENS performance is accompanied by education and outreach workshops that connect area youth to agency health professionals who address the issues at hand in talk back sessions and provide resource materials. Health professionals will be on hand after each public performance of THE BOY AT THE EDGE OF EVERYTHING to talk about anxiety, and ways to cope and de-stress in today's chaotic world.

Both public performances of THE BOY AT THE EDGE OF EVERYTHING will be Pay What You Can Performances. Patrons must call 540.400.7795 to reserve their seats in advance. Patrons may also visit RoanokeChildrensTheatre.org for full details.

THE BOY AT THE EDGE OF EVERYTHING is presented through partnerships with The Prevention Council of Roanoke County, Carilion, Roanoke County Schools, Roanoke City Schools, Kiwanis Club of Roanoke and Physicians to Children.

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