The first step forward in working with today's youth is to create a dialogue, and that is exactly what this exciting new book does. It helps you provide opportunities for young people to open up and explore their feelings through theatre, offering a safe place for them to air their views with dignity, respect, and freedom.

The purpose of this manual is to provide a clear look at the process and specifics involved in the Hope Is Vital interactive theatre techniques. The organization is sequential, providing a blueprint for creating a workable plan. Beginning with warm-up exercises and bridging activities, the process moves forward to improvisational scenework, where students actually replace characters in the stories. It is at this point that young people engage in their own mini-theatre and look at choices, strategies, and communication.

Teachers will want to read this book. Counselors will want to read this book. Community leaders will want to read this book. It is useful in any group setting or as a tool for outreach.

Contents:
Warm-ups
 Energy and Focus Work
Circle Dash - Cover the Space - Tilt - Defender - Blind Handshakes - Minefield - Zip Zap Zop - Donkey - Machine
 Trust Work
Trust Circle - Trust Falls - Blind (No Contact) - Find Your Mother Like a Little Penguin - Glass Cobra - Circle Height - Falling - Storytelling - Tour of a Place
Bridge Work
Environment - Values Clarification - Two Revelations - Complete the Image - Sculpting - Machine - Monologue Work
Improvisation
Activity/Urgency - Relationship Wheel - Russel's Soup (A/B) - Line Improvs - Exit - Entrance - Image Alive - Line/Location/Theme
Activating Material
Monologues - Sculpting - Machine - Small Groups
Facilitation
Peer Education
One Last Story
Appendix A: Performance Workshop Feedback Sheet
Appendix B: Sample Plans
Appendix C: Resources: Books
Appendix D: Resources: Contacts