On October 6, the Hopkins Center For The Arts hosted “ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence,” a nationwide theater initiative that puts teens’ voices at the front of a pressing national conversation.
Stages Theater Company joins more than 30 organizations across the country in presenting six short plays written by teens confronting the urgent issues of gun violence through their perspectives. For the local youth stepping into these roles, the experience is both personal and empowering.
“What initially drew me was the tragedy that happened at Annunciation, which really hit close to home,” said Niko Gruss, a student actor and director. “Gun violence has hit my family as well. I really like the idea of using my talent and passions to bring awareness to issues like this,”
Vivian Nielson, a student actor who also acts in two plays and directs one, said the project is very timely. “It’s something that could really impact anyone. It’s not isolated to a specific group. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or who you are,” Nielsen said.
Unlike many of the “lighter” productions typically performed at Stages Theater, ENOUGH! addresses a heavier subject. “A lot of the roles I’ve stepped into are in lighter productions, giving kind of those warm and fuzzy feelings,” Gruss said. “These really do shine light on the realities of a lot of these victims of gun violence.
“Having these heavier roles can really weigh down as an actor, but it’s really empowering as an actor as well, especially a young actor. These things are very real and very well can happen,” said Gruss.
Nielsen describes the plays as “raw and real.” “It’s really fun to do a production that’s raw and real and doesn’t water anything down. It tells so many truths and experiences of other people. It shines light on the experiences that don’t get told as often or that people feel uncomfortable telling, and we’re able to use the stage to prompt conversations on it,” she said.
This year, ENOUGH! received 127 submissions from teens across the country, with six selected by a distinguished panel including New York Times-bestselling author Jason Reynolds, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, and nationally recognized playwrights.
The six plays address sensitive themes including school shootings, officer-involved shootings, suicide, and domestic violence. While these subjects are sensitive, they are not graphically depicted and are intended to open dialogue. The production is recommended for ages 14 and older.
Stages Theatre’s Artistic Director Sandy Boren-Barret emphasises the importance of giving these stories a space in Minnesota. “Gun violence is not a distant problem. It exists across the United States and here at home in Minnesota.
“By bringing ENOUGH! To Hopkins, we’re creating a space for truth, for action, and for healing… so together we can be the change our community needs,” she said.
For both Gruss and Nielsen, the Hopkins production is not only a performance but also a message to the community. “I think it’s very important for the community to come see this because, recently, this has affected and struck our community, and so it’s really important for people to come see this because it shows that the youth want change, that the youth are empowered, and that the youth can make change through different things like our art and our talents,” Gruss said.
Nielsen said, “It showcases so many different ways that gun violence can impact lives. The fact that it is six different stories written by six different people is so powerful because it in itself brings so many different perspectives.”
Lizzy Nyoike is a Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication student with interest in community stories, investigative and multimedia journalism.