Syracuse’s Media Unit (MU) Youth Theatre Troupe opened its 34th season, Friday Oct. 16 with “From the Back of the Bus,” which is about racism and racial healing. The actors ranged in age from 13 to 21 years. The majority of the audience in the Montgomery Street Gifford Community Studio was from SUNY Oswego Professor Alfred D. Frederick’s multi-cultural graduate class on education of diverse populations.
Asked what he thought of the performance, he said, “I wouldn’t be taking my class here for seven years if it wasn’t effective.”
Media Unit’s producer, Walt Shepperd, welcomed the audience and explained the mission of the Media Unit, as a pre-professional program for students of media arts and management with an emphasis on theater and television. It is an initiation and practice in performance and production. This includes acting, writing, directing, stage management, tech work, video editing, sound engineering, dance, singing, marketing and management. A MU person will also shadow the MU’s board chair Shepperd said.
The Unit produces a weekly television show, “Rough Times Live” that is broadcast on cable in Syracuse, Binghamton and New York City. Shepperd noted the media can be a vicious business, and he believes the MU’s training teaches students how to navigate or play the game successfully through hands on experience. It’s not for the weak of heart he adds. It’s playing to every kind of room in 60 performances a year including a Syracuse Parks Tour, the state fair, in Syracuse Stage’s black box, the South West Community Center, inside the Onondaga County Justice Center, taking the show on the road, to the Harm’s Theatre Festival and even to Manhattan.
“Time and time again, the Media Unit has the unique ability of taking a very serious issue and translating it into a very positive message that calls for community action, and most importantly their messages ring true with many people living and learning in the city,” said Pat Driscoll, commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Youth Services for the City of Syracuse.
The MU students are expected to work as a team, to move all their own gear, to help in script writing.
“We give you an edge,” Shepperd said, adding that 80 percent of the alums are working in the industry. And, consider that there is no tuition; MU crew can also garner high school credit, college scholarships and a paid summer job.
The challenge of the MU is to raise awareness to social issues facing today’s youth. This of course has evolved since 1976. The MU’s Director of Operations Sarah Orr said, “We update scripts every year depending on cast and if new issues come up on the topic.”
The topics range from the racially charged “From the Back of the Bus,” to inner city gang violence with its “Angels with Broken Wings Starting all over Again,” to a teen’s eye view on the local drug scene, “Drug Us,” to gambling issues, “Don’t bet on it.” Other topics include recovery from addiction, underage drinking, abusive versus healthy relationships, mental health and safe sex.
A MU show entertains, makes its audience think and raises awareness on social issues. Shepperd said, “Larry and Linda,” is a show about gay teens pointing out obstacles in schools in a musical theatre format with some humor, while not offending anyone. Not exactly an easy task, and the work begins in the auditioning process. Are you brave enough to tackle this subject he asks?
Auditions are underway - to apply call 478-UNIT. To book a show call 478-8648 or e-mail roughtimeslive@yahoo.com. Performances are $600, please allow six weeks before performance. Walt Shepperd, a Colgate Graduate, is also the senior editor of the Syracuse City Eagle.
