Young Windsorites’ Struggles With Mental Health Featured In New Play

Hello time traveller!!
This article is 3318 days old.
The information listed below is likely outdated and has been preserved for archival purposes.

A locally produced play that tells the untold stories of local youth and their struggles with mental health takes to the stage at the end of the month.

InTake is an original one-act play with actors including high school, college, and university students as well as youth who have experienced homelessness.

The script is the product of a six-day workshop series facilitated by Christopher Rabideau.

The play tells the story of Jack, a 16 year old boy who has been in trouble with the law and is sent to live at a group home. While he’s there, he makes friends with an eclectic group of teens who become his friends. Mental health issues touch the lives of each of the characters in one way or another, and together they struggle to do more than just survive.

Christopher Rabideau is the creator and director of the project and is currently with the Arts Collective Theatre. His previous shows include, Inside the Burden (2014), Interrogation (2012) and Waking Up Blue (2012).

“Social Justice helps us connect with the truthful stories of our youth, now all they need is for us to listen to them,” said Rabideau. “Arts Collective Theatre is proud to be working with The Windsor Youth Centre on this collaborative project to bring change to our community.”

Rabideau partnered with the Windsor Youth Centre for this year’s project because WYC serves some of the area’s most vulnerable youth.

“Without the stability of a safe home, it’s almost impossible to address mental health issues or recover from trauma and addiction,” said Tamara Kowalska, WYC executive director and producer of InTake. “Youth who come to the WYC are resilient. Their stories inspire but they also indicate what we as a community need to provide.”

Two evening performances are open to the public on March 26th and 27th at the Olde Walkerville Theatre.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets are available at the Olde Walkerville Theatre, located at 1564 Wyandotte Street East.

In addition, daytime shows will engage students from the public and Catholic school boards.

Every performance is followed by a talk back session with the cast and members of social service agencies including the Windsor Police Service.