Play promises harsh language
and hard factsLocal youth write and perform play on HIV and STD prevention

by Patty Pitts

A play recently staged for students at three Victoria-area schools about sexuality and HIV prevention will be presented at two public performances in June.

Balderdash, written and performed by local youth and presented as part of the Full Circle project will be staged at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5 at Esquimalt Community School Theatre. The project is an education initiative co-ordinated by UVic interdisciplinary PhD student Josephine MacIntosh in co-operation with the Rock Solid Foundation and Esquimalt Community School.

“The title of the play means that much of what we think we know about other people and HIV and STD prevention is ‘balderdash,’ nonsense,” says Liz Dunsmore, 15, the youngest student actor involved in the project. The play is a co-creation, written by Lidia D’Angelo, Ashley Dryburgh, Aubrie Karagianis, Dane Louckes and Tabetha Telford, and is directed by D’Angelo.

Balderdash follows the story of eight characters in their high school years. Themes include the trust of oneself and others, perception, identity, alienation and fear of it, sexual awakening, love, and undeserved reputations. “These young people face tough decisions about sex and intimate relationships,” says D’Angelo. “Sometimes they don’t understand the direct relationship between their decisions and the consequences.”

The Full Circle project employs interactive theatre to teach youth some of the skills necessary for reducing high-risk sexual behaviours and negative sexual outcomes.

“This play is inspired and thought-provoking,” says MacIntosh. “The characters and plot that the writers have created are a direct reflection of the social and sexuality issues that many of today’s youth struggle with during high school. I’m delighted with the way the youth volunteers so boldly speak out about such sensitive and personal topics.”

MacIntosh, whose research interests include high-risk sexual behaviour and sexual health and education, will evaluate the project’s effectiveness in communicating prevention messages to young people as part of her doctoral dissertation.

Admission to the public performances of Balderdash is by donation. It’s suitable for teen and adult audiences and contains some harsh language, some suggestive scenes, and some violence. “The play addresses tough issues and I urge teens, their parents, teachers, and those who provide sexual health services for teens to attend,” says MacIntosh.

Full Circle is funded by a 2001 Community Fund Grant from the Vancouver Island Health Authority. MacIntosh is a doctoral fellow funded by a joint scholarship from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and the B.C. Medical Services Research Foundation (population health). The Sara Spencer Foundation has also provided research funding.

For more information, e-mail MacIntosh at fcircle@uvic.ca or leave a message at 472-4735.