Play Teaches Juvenile Offenders Valuable Lessons

The Los Angeles County Probation Department has offered a number of innovative programs over the years for the youth incarcerated at Camp David Gonzales in Calabasas.

But the program developed by the Unusual Suspects Theatre Company serves up some surprises in pursuit of its goal of encouraging self-esteem, respect and tolerance for others.

On Saturday, the teenage residents performed a play titled How Far Would You Go? that they had also written. It was the culmination of a 20-week workshop that had combined theatrical story development, scriptwriting and onstage performance.

Kristin Goodman led the Unusual Suspects' twice-weekly workshops at the detention center. She was startled by what the teens revealed during the program, she said.

"When you talk to these boys about the first element of theater, which is conflict, they can't even think of conflict as an articulated idea," Goodman said. "Using that to build characters and a story is all new to them. But in the streets, where they're from, they've had to do plenty of role-playing. So they understand that concept."

For 10 weeks, the instructors guided the boys through the process of writing the play and then for another 10 weeks, they rehearsed it. Throughout, much emphasis was placed on developing character and trust through improvisation.

The result was a one-act production performed in front of the teens' families and members of the public.

The play centered around a reality television show (a fiercely popular genre within the camp) that featured participants who were stuck in an elevator with a mysterious suit case that drew out dark secrets from everyone's past. Ultimately, those contestants deemed unworthy were given the boot.

A panel of three shrinks who gamely bounced between roles judged the contestants.

Several of the actors doubled up on parts—of both genders—requiring quick changes behind the black curtain. A young actor named Maurice (the last names of the youth are not revealed for security reasons), who donned a neon orange dress, heels and a wig, showcased a surprising sense of physical comedy and set the mood.

The television broadcast was interrupted between scenes with cheesy commercials from the 1950s and '60s for Tootsie Pops and Burger King.

Even with all the humor, the contestants confronted serious character flaws and were forced to take responsibility for their choices, an idea the probation camp directors hope carries over to the teens' lives.

The theater program was a positive experience for the boys, said Bruce Sakamoto, the supervising deputy probation officer at Camp David Gonzales.

"Mostly, I've seen a real sense of pride in their accomplishment," he said. "And maybe there's a hope that they've developed a skill beyond what they've learned on the street. . . . This program requires a lot of commitment. They give up recreation time for this and they know that if they blow off rehearsal, they will be letting others down."

At the conclusion of the performance, the boys received certificates of appreciation from the Unusual Suspects staff and took questions from the audience.

"The fast changes were a handful, but really fun," said Kyle, who hadn't shied away from playing a nerdy role. " . . . There's a chemistry with everybody here. We just had to put it on stage."

Justin responded by saying that the production is helping him turn his life around.

"You got to get over your past. You got to move forward," he said.

To a question about what he learned, Brandin said, "I feel good about myself." 

Professional actor Sal Viscuso, who had volunteered to help steer the young men through the play, said the process was "transformative."

"I've been an actor for 37 years and to get back to basics, when you stand up and tell the truth, moved me to tears," he said. "This has been a life lesson for me."

And perhaps, for the youth as well.

"If I can play this role that is so opposite to me, I can do anything!" said Travion, one of the performers.