A century-old theatre company in Laguna Beach is using its resources to open dialogue with young people, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and recent protesting over racial injustice.
The program is run by our KNX Hero of the Week, who's inspiring future leaders to "tell their truth," one workshop at a time.
"It's so important, because they are the people who are going to inherit what comes next," says Dylan Russell, Director of Education at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach.
"You know, we've seen this with Greta Thunberg, we've seen this with other youth leaders who have stepped-up after the shootings in Florida," says Dylan.
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"They are the voice of where we need to go. To have an opportunity to work with young people... especially through the arts, is more important than it has ever, ever been!"
Dylan says there are two thoughts of mind when it comes to her students, and how they are handling the current events of home schooling, social distancing, and racial injustice.
"There are some students who are so enmeshed in all of it, they just want the opportunity to escape, and be creative," explains Dylan. "And then there are students who really have that desire to bring [forward] their passions for community. And I think that the arts allow us to both be a place where we can have creativity as a respite, and as an activism."
The Laguna Playhouse is celebrating its 100th season this summer, with the unexpected transition to online programming. Executive Director Ellen Richard says Dylan has made the adjustment with ease, creating a sense of normalcy for the kids. "I think having this safe place, particularly right now, is really important and impactful."
For Dylan, it's the emotional connection that drives her. In fact, she says "art saved her."
"I want every person, particularly every young person, to have the opportunity to share their story. And, have it be truly heard by the community at large," says Dylan.
"It's so important in this world to feel that your story's told. And, I think that's kind of at the heart of what we are looking at today. The desire to have your story be recognized, in a way that it hasn't before."
Dylan Russell, Director of Education with the Laguna Playhouse, is our KNX Hero of the week!
KNX Heroes is brought to you by California Resources Corporation, saluting our military veterans and all of our heroes.
If you have someone in mind, who could be a KNX Hero of the Week, fill out a nomination form at https://knx1070.radio.com/nominate
