Theatre for Youth II

<p>When <i>Theatre for Youth: Twelve Plays with Mature Themes</i> was published in 1986 it met a need for plays that could help young people deal with some of the more difficult realities of life. Responding to the sweeping changes in society over the succeeding thirty years Coleman A. Jennings and Gretta Berghammer have assembled a new collection of plays that reflects not only on themes such as aging death and dying friendship courage conformity maturation sexuality and struggles with moral judgment but also on gender identity poverty diversity and discrimination.</p> <p><i>Theatre for Youth II: More Plays with Mature Themes</i> presents twelve plays nine of them new to this anthology that offer a rich variety of original stories (<i>The Tomato Plant Girl</i> <i>The Arkansaw Bear</i> <i>Super Cowgirl and Mighty Miracle</i>) compelling adaptations (<i>The Afternoon of the Elves</i> <i>Broken Hearts</i> <i>Courage!</i>) historical drama (<i>Mother Hicks</i> <i>Johnny Tremain</i>) diverse themes (<i>La Ofrenda</i> <i>The Transition of Doodle Pequeño</i>) friendship (<i>The Selfish Giant</i>) and future societies (<i>With Two Wings</i>). As these plays explore some of the most challenging themes for today's youth including the difficulties of single parenthood divorce race relations sexuality and gender discrimination they share messages fundamental to us all: open your imagination and dare to dream; embrace life; honor your personal passion beliefs and creativity; take a risk; and love with all your heart.</p>