First published 2015
Three teenagers face daily battles in a society that refuses to see them. They turn to movement and verse as their weapons against silence. One confronts the cruelty of bullies who target her differences. Another navigates the sudden reality of pregnancy while still in high school. The third fights against the darkness of depression that threatens to consume everything. Together they discover that dance can speak when words fail them. Their poetry becomes a bridge between their inner pain and the outside world. Through artistic expression, they transform their struggles into something powerful. Each story reveals the weight these young people carry. Their performances force others to witness what they would rather ignore. The three find strength in sharing their truth through art. Williams shows how creativity becomes survival for those society pushes aside. These teenagers refuse to remain voiceless despite the forces working against them.
Genres: fiction, drama, african-american, contemporary, adolescence, poetry
Vibes: emotional, intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, overcoming-adversity, self-expression
Paperback · Chicago Dramaworks
Content warnings: depression, suicide