The SOURCE Theatre

“The students were under a spell, on the edge of their seats.  Not a sound during the performance.  Afterwards my kids were overflowing with their own stories.  This should be seen by 7^th and 8^th grades also!”

-Teacher, Venice Middle School

“The talent and commitment of The SOURCE Theatre cannot be overstated.”

-Alexander L. Young, Executive Director, United Way of Sarasota County

“The talent, dedication, and hard work everyone put into this group were evident by the standing ovation following the performance.  The SOURCE is a great medium for reaching out and helping the youth of today.  The group was the highlight of our conference.”

-Joy F.Mahler, Executive Director, Big Brothers/Big Sisters

“The play I saw today made me think more about life and how I want to live it.  It showed how making the wrong decisions could affect you for the rest of your life.”

-student, Sarasota Middle School

“We had the honor of seeing The Day I Opened My Eyes and were BLOWN AWAY! PLEASE, if you are available, PLEASE go see this performance - invite anyone who can go!! Oh, the awareness gained!! The performers take you exactly where they want you to go… it’s the most amazing performance we have ever seen. It brings tears to our eyes just thinking about it. Please support these amazing YOUNG actors - because they are spreading awareness.”

-Rich Hughes, Christine Alexander,Producers, Anything Arts

“This play was one that was a perfect example of Diversity. Bringing “The Day I Opened My Eyes” to the University of Central Florida campus was something that truly benefited the community as a whole. More plays like this one should be done to help promote education, understanding and compassion for cultures and situations that may not be firmilar to our personal lives.”

 -Destiny Quinones, Sister of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.

“THANK YOU.  THANK YOU.  THANK YOU for presenting The Day I Opened My Eyes.  What an incredible performance, and what a huge hit it was with our Board.  I’ve heard nothing but outstanding feedback.  Everyone was just amazed.  The play and discussion afterward really helped bring home for all of us the reality of the youth-related population work that we’ll be supporting, as well as the fact that young people can really be the most effective advocates for issues that affect them.   You all did this so much more effectively than any other way we’ve tried to date.”

-Suzanne Petroni, Senior Program Officer, The Summit Foundation, Washington, D. C.

“My reaction is stunned and surprised how easy it is to get HIV.”

-student, Sarasota Middle School

 “The SOURCE accurately and profoundly depicted the pressure teens face with freedom, responsibility, and consequences.”

-Matthew D. Munyon, Executive Director, Florida’s Commission on Responsible Fatherhood

“During the entire play I could not take my eyes off the stage.  It made me think.  Going too far with a guy can have some unbelievable consequences.  Your SOURCE Teen Theatre radically affected my outlook on sex.”

-student, Sarasota Middle School

“The play made me realize how precious life is, and how one bad decision can affect the rest of your life.  You only have one life, so now I am convinced to stop and think about every decision that I need to make.”

-student, Sarasota Middle School

“The play really made me think about a lot of the things I have done and do and the things that my friends do.  It really touched me and helped me a lot.  I realize that we have probably made mistakes, and for me I know that I have to be careful now.  The play kinda scared me, but that was good because it made me think and I needed to do that.”

-student, Pine View School

“Thank you for the fabulous presentation of “Read My Lips.”  Since the play I have had at least 3 different groups of students share similar stories about the popularity power some of their peers have in school…..This play was an excellent opportunity for our students to have open discussions about their situation and feel empowered to make changes, if needed.  Thanks again for all you do with our character education program.  This continues to be our students favorite part.”

-Kate McManus, 6^th and 7^th grade School Counselor, Pine View School

“This is a very big issue in middle school.  I am a big fan of the SOURCE Teen Theatre and love your work.  The students responded very well because it was so real to them.  After the performance we forgot about class (science) and addressed the issues to discuss.”

-Teacher, Pine View School

“Teen SOURCE is a phenomenal concept/group.  The students responded favorably and they all said that they can relate and enjoy this type of forum – like that it is NOT boring.  The play generated so much discussion afterwards that we had to stop.  A lot of the students commented that it was ‘better than plays at the Van Wezel’.”

-Teacher, Pine View School

“I really liked the concept which I believe really helped everybody see the different side.  Sometimes you’re too busy trying to impress that you forget about everybody else, and get caught up into everything.  And all sudden you think the whole world revolves around you.  It really made people go wow and take a step back because they got a chance to experience or see how other people feel.”

-sixth grade student, Pine View School

“I now plan on trying my hardest to avoid drugs and alcohol, because I know they can really mess up my life, and possibly others lives as well.  That was the most fun I have ever had at school, while learning something very important as well.”

-Student, McIntosh Middle

“It really showed how one second everything can be going smoothly and you’re having the time of your life, while the next second a life can end.  It’s quiet a wake-up call.”  “I think you touched a lot of people, I even saw tears streaming down the face of my fellow classmate.”

-Student, Brookside Middle

“At the end of the play, I think that my outlook and view of smoking and underage alcohol has changed for the better.  This play shows that you are not afraid to talk about the kinds of things that really matter, and in a way that we can relate to.”

-Student, Pine View School

“The subject matter and the presentation really hit home with our students, and the plays help them to see the possible consequences of their actions.”

Steven A. Hazuda, Program Director, YMCA

“We  sincerely appreciate your creative approach to reaching teens. Your HIV/AIDS prevention efforts really make a difference to Sarasota County.”

Judit Illyes, Sarasota County Health Department