Crash Club is a dazzling and original music theater event that uniquely blends the vocabulary of youth culture with the latest in theatrical story telling to address the issues that face today's teens.
Because of its infectious music, up-to-the-minute dance moves, and innovative state of the arts theatrics (inspired, in part by both the avant garde theater and rock concerts), Crash Club speaks to young people in a language they understand.
Educators from Michigan, Connecticut, and New Jersey have all rallied to Crash Club. Teachers everywhere have been looking for creative ways to bring up the important subjects that Crash Club introduces.
At the very time that people are encouraged to create their "own identities" and "be themselves" - there is an enormous pressure to "belong" and "fit in." Crash Club entertainingly explores this seeming dichotomy that faces all of us - but especially teens.
These themes of "otherness" and "inclusion" takes many forms in Crash Club. Sometimes funny, often touching, and always entertaining, the impact of Crash Club is profound. Subjects discussed include: teenage pregnancy, bullying, name calling, sexuality, "growing up fast," responsibility, multiculturalism, the pressures to be thin, smart, and fit, and perhaps most importantly, VIOLENCE IN THE SCHOOLS.
Crash Club represents a kind of theater that speaks to issues and at the same time aspires to the highest standard of professionalism. Regional theaters everywhere are seeing its potential as a new kind of "out reach" and a valuable contemporary entertainment that will appeal to the elusive "younger audience" and those of us that love them.
As a result, Crash Club is sparking unprecedented partnerships between the professional theater and the public schools. Plans are currently in the works for co-productions between educators and theater producers at the Papermill Playhouse in Milburn, New Jersey, the Bushnell Memorial Hall in Hartford, Connecticut, and the Goodspeed Opera House in Chester, Connecticut. Conversations have begun in San Diego, California, Detroit, Michigan, and West Palm Beach, Florida. Tours are being planned; so are possible television and radio specials.
Because of its relative themes and irresistible theatricality - producers, educators, administrators and others interested in important and exciting theater are inventing new ways to bring Crash Club to the theater going public and expand the audience base to some not usually interested in the theater. New ways of budgeting, scheduling, pricing, group sales, touring, and promotion are being explored.
Plans are being made to develop educational materials to accompany Crash Club to be used in the classroom, community centers, alternative education sites, and other places of healing dialogue.
The productions of Crash Club at the Cherry County Playhouse in Muskegon Michigan garnered incredible reviews, played to sold out houses, recieved an NEA grant, a grand from the local School District, and was even used as a "sentence" in the local family court!
The creators of Crash Club are interested in exploring innovative ways to "spread the word" through publishing, recording and, of course, the Internet.
For more information contact Bill Castellino at (212) 774 - 9417