New student-created play about home loss to premiere Saturday at Free Street Theater

Jan. 23, 2009

Story by Araceli Arroyo

Drawing from their own personal life challenges, teenagers from across the city have spent the past eight months developing a play – set to debut tomorrow – at Free Street Theater in West Town.

Sub Prime Youth is the story of a family who is losing their home and the struggles family members face. The father is referred to as “the fattest man in the world” due to the weight of his depression. The son is forced to become the bread winner and is cracking under pressure while everyone else who lives in the house spins out of control.

“I don’t know what my father felt when he lost his home, but I know that I lost my home as well,” said Abe Mendoza, 17, describing real events he turned into inspiration for the production.

Free Street workshops provided the students instruction in acting and creative writing, beginning from a non-performance place. During contact-improv exercises, it seemed the small bare theater became a kind of ballroom for the contorted as students move across the room, crawling, walking or running, while remaining in contact with the other by head, finger, knee, or arm.

“My first day when I was watching and participating, I thought this is so weird – this is crazy,” said Ashley Johnson, 18, a participant of the program for three years.

But this is definitely not kid stuff.

Free Street’s primary focus is to produce the highest quality of work, but also provide assistance to any challenges their youth may encounter like applying for college or domestic issues. The theater has been developing this process since the early 1990s when Ron Bieganski took over as creative director. Since then, Free Street has impacted more than 150,000 individuals.

“It’s really quite amazing,” said Bieganski. “We have at least five of the 25 youth creating this piece who have lost their homes.”

Founded in 1969 by Patrick Henry, the theater is now entering upon its 40th year. However, since its inception the organization has faced many challenges of its own.

“Looking through our archives I’ve found right from the beginning it’s been like, ‘Oh no! We have to raise this much money or we’ll have to close our doors,’ and it was like that for awhile,” said Anita Evans, interim managing director of Free Street.

Free Street projects a conservative budget this year. But a range of events are planned for 2009 that will allow supporters to have a personal experience through discussions and behind the scenes access to the theater’s creative process.

Primarily funded by grants, Free Street remains hopeful and views its 40th year not only as an opportunity to raise funds, but an opportunity to re-establish old relationships with alumni while establishing new ones.

“Free Street had a tangible impact on the way I interpreted my environment. Although I no longer am really involved in theater or performance of any kind,” said Joanna Klonsky, 24, political reporter for the Council on Foreign Relations website and a 1999 to 2003 Free Street alum. “The training taught me to think creatively, and to repudiate conventional wisdom and cliché.”

After countless productions and a handful of tours throughout Europe, and trials and financial tribulation, Free Street has remained a thriving source for Chicago inner city youth to explore their creative potential.

“Free Street does not teach youth, they teach artists,” said Mendoza. “And that approach is very important.”

Free Street Theatre is located on the third floor of the Pulaski Park field house in West Town. Sub Prime Youth runs January 24 through February 28, 7 p.m. on Fridays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays at 1419 W. Blackhawk. For more information call 773-772-7248. For a list of 40th anniversary events, visit www.freestreet.org.