This weekend in Fort Lauderdale, local youths will take center stage as the YMCA of South Florida's Teen Broadway team is set to wow audiences with their latest production. These teens aren't just playing pretend; they're honing real-world confidence through the power of the performing arts, as reported by Local 10 News. With tickets costing less than $20 a pop, the much-anticipated show "Snowy and the Seven Affirmations" promises to both entertain and inspire with a story of personal growth and resilience.
The program, which sees participants between the ages of 5 and 15, offers a comprehensive experience that has proven to be life-changing for many involved. These young thespians have been known to to fully immerse themselves in their roles, often showing levels of professionalism that would make you believe they were born for the stage. "We are the village. My job is if you fall, we pick you up, shake you off and get you on your way," program director Sharon Hughes told Local 10 News, emphasizing the program's supportive environment.
According to the YMCA of South Florida's Teen Broadway program, the focus isn't just on the final production. It's the journey these kids take, embracing arts as a vehicle to build essential life skills. "I want to say that this has really improved my public speaking skills and being able to talk to people and speak loud enough for people to hear me," show director Jahziah Defoe shared with Serenade News Biz.ID. Co-star Azanah Blount added that the program offered her a "safe place" where she could truly be herself.
The play's plot centers around a character named Snowy who, facing the cruelty of high school bullying, finds her confidence through the support of literal personifications of affirmations like Loyalty and Appreciative. "Everybody becomes their own person here," said Defoe in a statement obtained by Local 10 News, describing the transformative power the program has on its young actors. Blount, herself, drew personal strength from her connection with her character, stating, "Now I love my hair," overcoming her own childhood insecurities.
Interested parties can catch the stirring performance at the Victory Black Box Theatre in Fort Lauderdale with shows starting at 1 p.m. For those looking to support local youth arts and enjoy an afternoon of engaging theater, ticket details are available here for the Local 10 News article and here as posted by Serenade News Biz.ID.
