The CUNY School of Professional Studies is delighted to announce that 10 students and 2 alumni from its Master of Arts in Applied Theatre program are working on the upcoming CUNY Creative Arts Team (CAT) Youth Theatre original production of The Power Game. The play investigates the relationships and responsibilities that exist between people and power, and the kinds of power young people want and have.

The award-winning CUNY CAT Youth Theatre is a free after-school and weekend program that operates virtually year-round.  Its 100-plus members, ages 11 to 24, come from all five boroughs of New York City and represent 58 different public schools. This year is the company’s 15th anniversary. There are no auditions – but participants must commit to being active parts of the CAT Youth Theatre community.  New members are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.  Together, the teens collaboratively create and present original ensemble theatre productions on topical subjects.

Helen White

“The Power Game developed from the young people’s reflections on how they see power at play in their own lives,”says Helen White, who is a faculty member in the SPS Master of Arts in Applied Theatre program, as well as the CAT Youth Theatre founder, and program director. “Since September, the 42 members who are working on this production have been researching the many faces of power – from physical strength, to peer pressure, to political authority – uncovering many players of the ‘power game’. They have improvised and refined original dramatic scenes that juxtapose systemic power with individual power and have exposed the nuances that exist within these power roles.”

The Power Game will be performed at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers Street, Manhattan, from February 25 to March 6.  In addition to its public performances, the CAT Youth Theatre will present an afternoon program for school and community youth groups.

For schedule, tickets, and group discount information, contact Elly Richards at (212) 652-2828 or elly.richards@mail.cuny.edu.