Phantom Projects Theatre Group Premieres New Play About Teens and Social Media

Phantom Projects Theatre Group, now celebrating its 20th Anniversary of social education through theatre arts, will celebrate the World Premiere of its newest original play, #TheWall, inspired by real-life tragedy wrought upon young adults, and detailing the tumultuous relationship between cause and effect of social media usage in today's unfiltered world.

#TheWall will celebrate its World Premiere Performance at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts on Thursday, May 18th at 10am & 7pm. The production is written by Bruce Gevirtzman and directed by Steve Cisneros. Tickets are now on sale at www.PhantomProjects.com or www.LaMiradaTheatre.com (24 Hours) or at 562-944-9801.

As the landscape of digital communication has altered the way in which the youth of today interact with one another, it was only a matter of time before digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and perhaps most prevalent: Snapchat & YouTube...were utilized for bullying and other forms of harassment. #TheWall shines a light on the emotional turmoil caused by cyberbullying; a new method of perpetuating one of the oldest teen issues known to society.

The themes included in #TheWall include real-life stories picked right out of the ashes of the tragedy; depicting actual accounts involving teen suicides wrought upon by cyber bullying, catfishing and the posting of sexually exploitative photos; which when posted, live on forever. This show focuses heavily on short term actions which levy very long term consequences.

Now celebrating its 20th Anniversary, Phantom Projects Theatre Group has consistently written and produced shows for young adults; PERFORMED by young adults. Such is the long-standing mission statement of an organization which seeks to provide a platform for interactive education. Known also for producing a score of additional shows, featuring adult actors; the shows featuring teen actors dealing with teen themes have become a true staple of this organization.

Phantom Projects Theatre Group co-founder, and show director Steve Cisneros began this theatre company while a teenager, specifically because at the time of inception, there were virtually no theatre organizations geared specifically to inspiring and educating people his own age, through the eyes of peers. Even 20 years later, the old-fashioned means of communication through theatre arts still finds its place within the youth community. Since 1997, Phantom Projects Theatre Group has seen nearly a thousand of young actors perform for almost one million teens. Said Cisneros, "We are always amazed, year after year, at how the message based shows we have written and produced continue to attract scores of new students. Our message footprint has now extended far beyond the confines of La Mirada, into other states who have licensed our shows for performance in those communities. We set out initially with an idea for social education using theatre arts; and we are proud to have created the beginnings of a movement. Youth in America will always act as our barometer, and our team of talented young individuals continue to point the compass true North."

ABOUT PHANTOM PROJECTS THEATRE GROUP

Founded in 1996 / 1997 season by Steve Cisneros and teacher Bruce Gevirtzman, Phantom Projects Theatre Group is a non-profit theatrical Production Company consisting of volunteer performance troupes including both teen and adult performers for main stage productions, and fully teen-performed touring productions which annually perform for over 10,000 people across the Southland. In addition to touring productions which travel to both schools and youth groups, Phantom Projects maintains a fully stocked costuming department designed to suit the needs of schools and other arts organizations. Rounding out Phantom Projects' performance programs are The Young Artist Project, the only project of its kind that puts 10 strangers together with just 14 days to create, produce, and present an evening of original theatre, music, dance, film, and much more. Today, co-founders Steve Cisneros and Bruce Gevirtzman serve as the producing artistic director and resident playwright, respectively.

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