On August 7 and 8, the Storycatchers Temporary LockDown Ensemble (TLD) at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (CCJTDC) presented Chasing the Truth, a staged reading of work developed in a special, intensive five-week program that Storycatchers created in partnership with the Nancy B. Jefferson Alternative School at CCJTDC.

Chasing the Truth featured a dozen stories, ranging from a dramatic car chase with a terrified eleven-year-old at the wheel to the comical story of a big brother who is plagued by an irritating little sister with “sticky fingers.” The twelve young men who participated in the program received a standing ovation from their teachers, peers, and families.

After the performance, one teacher said “I don’t use the word ‘awesome’ very much – but this was awesome! I hope you young men show the same leadership in the classroom that we have seen on stage today.” The TLD Ensemble will present a staged reading of a new script on December 4 and 5, based on the writing prompt “Choosing Sides.”