After a board member lost a close relative to substance abuse in 2016, Allentown Public Theatre decided to take on the issue of opioid abuse with a theatre project that could empower teens and community members to discover their own answers to the current crisis.
Through the use of Theatre of the Oppressed techniques, 'Coming Clean' allows audience members to delve into the problems surrounding the opioid epidemic and to create their own solutions.
Designed for audiences ages 13 and up, the program involves both a workshop component and a performance component.
Audience members are asked in both sections to make decisions about their responses to prompted scenarios and questions. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be an actor to participate!
When Allentown Public Theatre brought 'Coming Clean' to the Allentown Art Museum this past Fall, one young audience member commented, “It was a good experience for me, it made me feel more aware of the opioid crisis. It also made me think about it more deeply. I think some teenagers will feel truly affected by it.”
Another reported on the workshop portion of the program, “The beginning yes/no questions forced me to confront my opinions.”
The theatre has since brought the program to schools and community locations, including the Boys and Girls Club in Allentown. As one student responded, “The acting scenes were most valuable to me, because I feel like in the future, I might get into some sort of situation like that.” Now APT is bringing this unique experience to the public.
'Coming Clean' will be presented at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (417 N 7th St., Allentown, PA 18102) at 7:00pm on Friday, June 15. Admission is by donation. Advanced reservations are not required.