Confronting Fears And Inspiring Change

By: Penny Caywood*

In my office, I have a collection of production photos, graduation announcements, and the occasional piece of student art. One piece stands out. It’s a canvas painted red, with a large silhouette of a gun and a cityscape inside the silhouette. The words Death of the American Teenager are painted across the canvas. That’s the title of a musical my high school conservatory students and I collaboratively wrote for six months last year. 

I aim to create a space where teens can safely express themselves using theatre as a vehicle for that expression. Sometimes we look at hard life questions and other times we focus on smaller things that matter to them. They are the navigators and, when needed, I help them steer. 

In August 2019, we took a production to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. When we first began brainstorming about possible themes, the students were clear that they wanted the show to be “American”.  So, it had to be a musical. And what’s more American than guns and gun violence, right? 

At first, there were debates about whether to tackle school shootings or suicide (in Utah, the most recent age-adjusted suicide rate is 22.7 per 100,000 people compared to a national rate of 14.0 per 100,000. Suicide was also the leading cause of death for Utahns aged 10–17 in 2018.) But eventually, the group decided on school shootings since gun violence has been affecting their lives as long as they can remember. When they hear running in the hallways or loud noises, they can't help but fear the worst.

About The Show

DEATH OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER takes us through the course of a day at a regular high school where there is a school shooting. Throughout the play, students step out and reflect on the tragic event as if they are remembering it. Other moments are highlighted through music and choreography most of which were created by abstracting movement from things we do in lockdowns. Although the subject matter is heavy and emotional, the musical has lighter moments, too. The students found it to be a great tool to break the tension and to layer invaluable information in a way that wasn’t preachy or patronizing. They also felt it was to never mention or see the shooter. This wasn’t a show about them. This was a show about the collective fear they face when they go to school. The show created a way to share that real fear with the adults in their lives and be comforted by the idea that other students, near and far, know exactly what they’re going through.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival

We had the opportunity to perform three times in the first week of the festival. We got very lucky with a positive review that came out right after our first show. Following audiences were standing room only.  So many people who weren’t connected to my students or their families gathered with open ears and hearts to genuinely take in what my group had to say. I know my students felt empowered and I did as well. 

Coming Home

Upon our return, we were asked to perform for the student body at a local high school. Teachers and school administration were invited to attend. The school even hired security for the event. 

We hosted a talk-back along with representatives from the local March for Our Lives organization. Various young people shared their stories of lockdowns. Teachers asked about our collaborative writing process. It was great to break it down and reflect on what was created. Our production was inspiring necessary conversation and action. After the event, a student came up to me and handed me her phone which was open to a text she had sent her friend when there was a violent attack at her school and they were locked down. She hugged me and simply said thank you. 

My students completed what they had set out to do. They shared their story and their point of view in the hopes to give others the courage to get involved in an issue they care deeply about. When teenagers confront their fears together they can help spur change in their community and beyond. 

*Penny Caywood

Penny Caywood has been the Artistic Director of Youth Theatre at the U for the last 14 years and is part of the Theatre Teaching BFA faculty as well. Youth Theatre is an out-of-school theatre program that offers a range of experiential theatre arts programs and classes designed to develop creativity, critical thinking skills and promote positive youth development. Youth Theatre also provides multiple theatre residencies in elementary schools and professional development workshops for classroom teachers about arts integration primarily to schools in the Salt Lake City School District. With her award-winning high school Conservatory, she devises and creates new work every year. In 2011 and 2019 Conservatory performed their original musicals at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Penny’s passion for Theatre for Youth extends beyond her work at the University of Utah. She has directed and choreographed Salt Lake Acting Company’s Theatre for Young Audience production for the last ten years.