Good Kids coming to Toms River

The #MeToo Movement has created shockwaves across the nation and world. The power shift in Hollywood has set a progressive precedent for the world in signifying the power of women and forever breaking the silence of victim of sexual assault. This message has stuck with many people across the nation, including Thespian Troupe #7455 from Toms River High School North. The group of young thespians and their two troupe directors have set out to spread the important message of sexual assault awareness through the art of theatre by performing the play Good Kids by Naomi Iizuka and encouraging other schools to follow suit. With The Good Kids Project, these thespians are setting out to break the silence of sexual assault one performance at a time.
The project first came to fruition when the question of what play the school’s thespian troupe was going to perform at the New Jersey Thespian Festival. When asked about why he chose this play, student director Luke Sulsenti said, “it appeared to be a play with a purpose and a message.” The play went on to receive a Superior Rating at the festival and garnered many awards for some of the actors including 1st Place Best Supporting Actor Victor Colasurdo, 2nd Place Best Actress Yna Tresvalles, and Best Featured Actress Mia Porter. Following the praise received from Thespian Festival and the success of Alyssa Sileo’s (Gloucester County Institute of Technology) success with The Laramie Project Project (LPP), Sulsenti saw the potential to spread the message of the play.
Thespian Troupe #7455 launched The Good Kids Project with the goal to spread sexual assault awareness and raise money for organizations that help victims. When asked about the importance of high school students spreading this message, Carolyn Little, troupe director stated, “Teaching my students to be advocates is one of the best things I could have done as an educator.” These thespians have connected with these characters through telling this story. Stephanie Schille is a senior who plays the lead role of Chloe. When asked about how she feels about playing the role she shared, “as the lead actress in such a powerful production I am humbled to give a voice to all sexual assault victims who suffer in silence.” She added that “portraying Chloe and showing the immense struggles she endures as a sexual assault victim enlightens not just my community, but people everywhere to break the silence on sexual assault.”
The Good Kids Project has just finished up their two-day run at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, and will be performing it next at Toms River High School North on April 12th at 7pm. Admittance is $5. Students are free with a school id. Sexual assault is a very troubling and serious issue that needs to be addressed in today’s society. While the leaders of that society may not want to address it, it is clear the next generation has plenty to say about it.

Written by Victor Colasurdo