Teens give staged readings of gun violence plays in national 'ENOUGH!' performance

Andrew S. Hughes, South Bend Tribune
·2 min read
The exterior of the South Bend Civic Theater in South Bend.

SOUTH BEND — Connect 2 Be the Change LLC, Gentlemen and Scholars, and South Bend Civic Theatre present “ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence” at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at 403 N. Main St.

Civic’s reading is part of a series of readings happening simultaneously across the country. More than 50 communities across the country are staging readings that unite art, activism and teen voices on Nov. 6, including a cornerstone reading at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

The local lineup includes the following:

• Civic Youth Company: “A Call for Help” by Pepper Fox

• Inspiration Place LLC: “The Smiles Behind” by Niarra C. Bell

• Connect 2 Be The Change presents Gentlemen And Scholars and their Civic Scholars: “The Matter at Hand” by Valentine Wulf

• Adams High School and Riley High School: “No Prospering Weapons” by Justin Cameron Washington

• Clay High School: “Lightning Strike” by Amanda Fagan

• Moms Demand Action and Civic: “A Disorderly House” by Sam Lee Victor

A talk-back session follows from 8:30 to 9 p.m.

“ENOUGH!” calls on teens to confront gun violence by creating new works of theater that will spark critical conversations and inspire meaningful action in communities across the country.

The organization received 244 submissions from 36 states this past spring when it called on teens to write 10-minute plays on gun violence.

This year’s plays were selected by nationally recognized dramatists Idris Goodwin, Lauren Gunderson, Zora Howard, Samuel D. Hunter, David Henry Hwang, Octavio Solis and Lloyd Suh.

In addition to the staged readings, Civic will host a reception at 5 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of South Bend, 333 W. Colfax Ave.

Following the reception there will be a March to End Gun Violence through downtown South Bend at 6:15 p.m. with a quick stop at the courthouse steps for photos. The march will continue through downtown and end at Civic for the 7p.m. performances.

All events are free to attend, but the reception and performance require separate tickets.

For more information, call 574-234-1112 or visit sbct.org or enoughplays.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Civic Theatre presents readings of gun violence plays