Two years ago, Suffield Youth Theater (SYT) was founded by a group of eighth grade students with a passion for theater and a dream for their future. Since that time the organization has been blessed with six incredible shows and six impressive audiences (And hosted a three hour theater intensive!). This past year, SYT incorporated as a non-profit and received tax exempt status, completing two more steps in our plan to drive the company forward.
Now, Suffield Youth Theater is taking the next step in expanding our group by producing Burdens, a show that, unlike our previous work, is geared to a teen and adult audience. Burdens was written and will be directed by 16 year old Leah Howard, and tells the story of a young girl, Maisie, during the Great Depression. Maisie is independent, spirited and in many ways ahead of her time. She is encouraged by her father, Frank, to pursue her dream of getting a college education and supported by her friends. Everything seems to be going perfectly for Maisie, until her father loses his job and turns to alcohol, becoming distant and even aggressive towards Maisie and her family.She soon decides that there is no longer a place for her at home and she leaves to try and make it on her own. This is very much a story of adolescence, a story of young people trying to find their way in a world that is confusing and scary. The purpose of theater is not only to provide entertainment for an audience, but to make them think about what they are viewing.
Even though this story takes place nearly 90 years ago, and the world has changed, people never do. We want to produce a piece that encapsulates the timelessness of being a teen and more importantly being human. Burdens certainly does this. To help with this production, we are excited to welcome the very talented Tyler Wolfson (Frank) of the Suffield Players and Kayla Lazzari (Masie) of the Drama Studio in Springfield, to the SYT stage.
Burdens will be performed on April 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and April 8 at 4 p.m. at the Second Baptist Church of Suffield’s Fellowship Hall. You can visit www.suffieldyouththeater.org/tickets for more information and to reserve tickets.