Fire Cracker Musical ...- By Angelique Boyd

FREEDOM ON THE 3RD OF JULY is the new musical the Teens Together Summer Theatre Ensemble will present at the West Pullman Park Cultural Center. I am part of the Teens Together Playwriting Ensemble and will be in the show this summer. This is my second year as a member of the Ensemble. We are working right now on the script for the musical, editing and changing it to make sure that what we are trying to say is clear.

The musical is about our perceptions of safety in public places, and how and why we don't always feel safe. The theme is "in order to overcome anger, in order to come together as a trusting, safe and open community, we have to turn our tragedies into opportunities for growth."

We have to empathize with and understand our peers and forgive each other's mistakes.

The story is about a community that is growing apart.

The Alderman wants to tear down the community center because of a tragic accident that happened there to his daughter, Annabelle. This accident causes a lot of tension between Annabelle and her brother Willy. It also affects many of the other relationships in the community. All the residents of the community have to realize they can overcome anything and become better people in the process.

As the ensemble created the character of The Alderman, we realized that most of us didn't know what an alderman actually does. We invited the Second Ward alderman, Robert Fioretti, to visit one of our Saturday sessions. He described a typical Alderman?s day and gave information we will use in our musical.

For the last few weeks, we?ve been writing song lyrics. We already have the chorus to our opening number:
Who has the power to say who belongs or is banished?
Who has the right to grant rights or take them away?
Who has the might to tear down or build our community?
If we persist, we will prevail today
FREEDOM ON THE 3RD OF JULY
Throw down the gauntlet; draw a line in the sand
Strike with a glove
Raise your voice and demand
FREEDOM ON THE 3RD OF JULY

We will sing that song at the Book Release Party on April 26, 2008. The party is in honor of the publication of Loud Cries and Wild Thoughts an anthology of our stories. Loud Cries ? contains stories we each wrote about our personal experiences of "safety in public places" I'd like all of you to come.

Writing those stories was the first step to creating our musical. The party starts at 1 P. You'll get to hear the opening song, get an autographed copy of the book, and have some snacks. We'll be on the first floor of the Columbia College Chicago, Conaway Center at 1104 S. Wabash Ave. I hope to see you there!

FREEDOM ON THE 3RD OF JULY opens July 8, 2008, at the West Pullman Park Cultural Center, 401 W. 123rd Street. We'll have shows at 10:30A and 1P Monday through Thursday until July 31, 2008. Kids from all over Chicago come to see the show, swim at the great West Pullman Pool and have a picnic lunch. If you have a group of kids that you would like to bring to the show call Brandi at MTW, (773)973.7266.

If you would like to be a part of the Summer Theatre Ensemble, call Ms. Alyssa at the same number. She is our director. I recommend the program to every aspiring writer or actor.

BY ANGELIQUE BOYD