An Improvisation by L.A. Seniors
This summer seniors in Bolima's L.A. put on a presentation for their Senior Project. This presentation came out of course content and issues related to how society projects certain images and ideas about people because of prejudiced notions. Although students had many directions they could take this theme, they decided to focus on stereotypes of teen parents; specifically ethnic young people. The students spent lunch times rehearsing and time talking with each other after class to come up with a general outline and story line for their improvisation. One main challenge of each rehearsal lie in not knowing how each performance would play out each time, as well as, for the final performance.
Main Characters: Ana, Joseph, Mark, Wynetha
Narrator: Million
Story Line:
Part I
The Main characters Ana and Joseph are both in high school, both considering a relationship and both seem to be very drawn to each other. Later, Ana's friend, Wynetha becomes very concerned about Ana's preoccupation with her new male friend and her failing grades in school. She cautions her to watch it and not give up on school.
Part II
Ana wants to focus on school, but is very concerned about her failing grades. Her and Joseph have been burning the midnight oil on the telephone and academics seem to be slipping. Joseph offers to help Ana with her science paper but one thing leads to another and tutoring becomes the last thing that is accomplished one night.
Part III
Here the performance is frozen and the audience is asked to participate. The question is "what do you think will happen next?" Response ranges from their parent's will became enraged, to the idea that they will end up as drop-outs on the Jerry Springer show duking it out. It is hoped that some of the stereotypes about ethnic teens will emerge.
Part IV
The performance now resumes and Wynetha is disturbed to find Ana one morning throwing up in the school bathroom. Ana confesses that she is pregnant and doesn't know what to do. Wynetha is sympathetic, but just as confused on what to do.
When we look in on Joseph's reaction, he is running around and screaming in disbelief of the news of Ana's pregnancy. He suspects that the baby is not his, then he gathers himself and realizes that Ana is not that kind of person. He decides he had better accept his responsibility and 'fess up. Although a difficult one, the decision is made.
Part V
Here Ana and Joseph give a monologue on the trials and tribulations that beset the decisions they made. Joseph ended up living with Ana's parents because he was kicked out and he hated it. His best friend, Mark, went through a similar experience only his girlfriend left him and he had to raise his daughter all by himself, drop out of school and work full time. But contrary to popular stereotypes about young males, Joseph does stick it out with Ana, work hard, and make it to college and Mark does work hard as a single parent to raise his daughter alone.
Ana talks to the burden she felt when the baby first came. She speaks of sleepless nights and having to take times off of work and school to adjust to a new life and responsibility. She was frequently exhausted because both had to work part time in addition to school, in order to save enough to eventually move and take care of essentials; many days they didn't even see each other because of the hectic schedule of which they had to commit to. But contrary to the stereotype of becoming a single teenage welfare Mom, Ana does make it to community college and Joseph to a university where they continue to take one day at a time while are building a future for their unexpected, but now greatly cherished child.
C'est Finis





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