The Rose Theater Presents BROKEN MIRROR 14, Now thru 3/16

For the fourteenth year, Broken Mirror will take a closer look at issues facing Omaha's teen girls, today, March 13-16 at The Rose's Hitchcock Theater. This year's Broken Mirror shines a spotlight on shattering stereotypes placed on today's teens. The show features young women using skits, parodies, scenes, songs, dances and monologues to create an original work of theater that dares to break stereotypes and pose surprising questions.

"The young women in this group have poured their hearts into the project," says co-director Alanna Reeves. "The show represents their experiences as girls in the year 2014. They courageously tackle tough topics with thoughtfulness, bravery, grace, and most importantly, a sense of humor."

Participants in the Broken Mirror program created the piece to reflect their own personal experiences. The teens not only perform in the show, but also write the segments included in the production. Topics addressed in the piece range from selfidentity to double standards between men and women, from the pressures of growing up too quickly to the impact of beauty as a commodity, as the cast explores what it means to be young and female.

"Each day when we arrived at rehearsal, we were impressed with the vulnerability these girls were willing to risk," says co-director Kathryn Stahl. "They brought incredible insight about the pressures they face daily and how they empower themselves to carve out their space in the world. They are a truly inspirational group of young people."

The cast of nine ranges widely in backgrounds and talent areas, as Broken Mirror presents funny, sophisticated and dramatic situations using a variety of fresh approaches. Cast members include: Emily Bourgeois (Millard West High School), Caylin Choquette (Papillion-La Vista High School), Lizy Hernadez (Burke High School), Grace Kovar (Holy Cross School), Kandace Mack (St. Pius X/ St. Leo School), Rachel Polan (Duschesne Academy), Shay Rosseter (Central High School), Charity Williams (Logan Middle School), and Morgan JoIsle Williams (home-schooled). Participants range in age from 14 to 17 years old and include both middle school and high school students.

The show is directed by Louisa Foster, Alanna Reeves and Kathryn Stahl. Crew members include lighting designer Kat Harper, set designer Julia Lisowski and technician Claire Begley.

"I hope that Broken Mirror gives audiences a new view on teen girls," says cast member Caylin Chouette.

Fellow cast member Rachel Polan agrees. "I would like nothing better than for every person to walk away from Broken Mirror with a better understanding of how teenage girls live today and that they gain some empathy for their situations."

Broken Mirror runs Thursday, March 13 at 7:00 pm, Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, March 16 at 4:30 pm in the Hitchcock Theater at The Rose, 2001 Farnam Street, Omaha.

Teens 'N' Theater show tickets are $6 each and available through The Rose Box Office at (402) 345-4849 or at the door on the day of show. Teens 'N' Theater show tickets are not available online.

Teens 'N' Theater is sponsored by the Mammel Foundation, Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

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