Same But Different

Young teens love plays about their own lives. This musical intersperses songs and raps with scenes about the bittersweet challenges of being young. Growing up sometimes seems so adversarial: the in-group vs. the out-group; boys vs. girls; parents vs. children; all facing issues of race, culture, looks, popularity. Award-winning playwright Caleen Sinnette Jennings dramatizes these conflicts with honesty and a sense of humor. In a particularly poignant scene, three hearing youngsters learn that being deaf doesn't mean you can't be an awesome soccer player. In another, boys who pride themselves on being jocks learn they aren't alone in having a sneaky affection for a teddy bear. Same But Different provides enough characters to showcase your entire group. Individual scenes are ideal to use as a class activity.