I. Am. Here.
University of Colorado Denver’s College of Arts & Media’s Department of Theatre, Film & Video Production and ArtLab present the full staged production of the original play "I. Am. Here." This original play created and performed by Denver’s own youth explores the struggles and triumphs of high school life in an urban public school. Complimented by original music and dance, "I.Am.Here." is not the “Disneyfied” version of teenage angst. Rather, it takes a hard look at teen pregnancy, alcoholism at home, interracial dating, economic hardship and homelessness, drug use and violence. It probes deep into the collective psyche of youth to create a raw, honest, and poignant portrayal of high school life in 2009."I.Am.Here." fuses the efforts of high school and higher learning. Performed by the culturally diverse group of high school youth that created the stories, "I.Am.Here." is also an autobiographical look at their own struggles and triumphs as high school students in Denver. The staged reading of the play with ArtLab students in August to much acclaim. Now, the original cast of 15 ArtLab students is joined by 15 students in the Department of Theatre, Film and Video at the University of Colorado Denver for this unique theatrical endeavor. \Download a copy of the scriptStaged Reading of I.Am.HereOn Friday and Saturday August 14 & 15, 2009 the youth of PlatteForum’s ArtLab, in collaboration with the University of Colorado Denver presented a staged reading of “I. Am. Here.” This original play created and performed by Denver’s own youth explores the struggles and triumphs of high school life in an urban public school. Not amused by the various high school melodramas (High School Musical, Twilight, 90210) “I. Am. Here.” is a response to the Hollywood cliché and provides the audience with a raw taste of what it takes to survive a day in today’s high school. ArtLab youth offer an insightful, poignant and honest examination of today’s complex teenage life. Despite living in a world of Facebook and Twitter, youth today fight to be heard and recognized. “I. Am. Here.” is a voice that must be seen and heard.Performed by the culturally diverse group of high school youth that created the stories, “I. Am. Here.” is also an autobiographical look at their own struggles and triumphs as high school students in Denver. The play follows the teens though a day at school, full of hall sweeps, hanging out, and humorous discussions about the truth of the opposite sex. These teenagers present an honest face to urban teenage struggle that includes teenage pregnancy, alcoholism at home, interracial dating, economic hardship, and violence. “I. Am. Here.” dives into race issues that shape the lives of students’ choices and beliefs. The youth don’t ask, but demand that you engage in their sometimes raw, sometimes touching…yet always-accurate portrayal of high school life.Created from a summer of script workshop assignments improvisation, and autobiographical performances called "autodramas," this original play is written by ArtLab youth with playwright Craig Volk, Associate Professor of Theater, Film and Video Production at the University of Colorado Denver; and directed by Jose Mercado, Assistant Professor of Theater, Film and Video Production, University of Colorado Denver.
