Deep Blue Funk

Deep Blue Funk presents young and adult audiences with real life histories of urban teenage parents and portrays how these young people feel about becoming parents when they themselves are still growing up and trying to establish their identities. The characters in Deep Blue Funk give voice to real teenagers speaking in their own voices with their own words about their own experiences. With innocence, anger, love and fear, the characters portray with passion and intensity the inner worlds of adolescents struggling with too much too soon. The life stories captured in this sensitive and revealing play transcend the boundaries of the characters' local African American neighborhood and speak of vital truths about the human heart reaching to grow up and come of age—truths which resonate with the wishes, desires, fears and misunderstanding of young people from all kinds of backgrounds and neighborhoods. To help teachers, counselors and actors facilitate discussion with young audiences after seeing Deep Blue Funk, the play is published with a detailed study guide, including background information on teenage parenthood, discussion questions and classroom activities. Flexible casting, few props and a simple set make this play ideal for schools and community groups.