On April 5, Honolulu Theatre for Youth and The Sex Abuse Treatment Center of the Kapi`olani Medical Center for Women & Children will offer a free public showcase celebrating their joint work fostering healthy relationships in Hawaii’s youth. The event marks the beginning of Sex Assault Awareness Month and will feature Expect [ r e s p e c t ]™, one of the interactive and theatrical pieces that is offered as part of the [ r e s p e c t ]™ curricula created for middle and high school students. The piece focuses on developing social-emotional competencies such as: responsible decision-making, relationship management, and social awareness. The free Expect [ r e s p e c t ]™ showcase starts at 7:00pm at Tenney Theatre. The 60-minute program will include a short discussion .The show is appropriate for ages 10 and above and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Honolulu Theatre for Youth by calling 808-839-9885 extension 720.  Visit www.htyweb.org/respect for more information.

“We hope that families, educators, business leaders, and anyone interested in reducing sexual violence and bullying in Hawaii’s schools will attend this performance,” says Eric Johnson, the artistic director for Honolulu Theatre for Youth, “this particular project is a collaboration with T-Shirt Theatre and the skill, humor, and talent these young performers bring to the stage is truly inspirational.”

The [ r e s p e c t ]™ curricula combines the use of in-school instruction and theatrical performances delivered by Honolulu Theatre for Youth.  The Expect [ r e s p e c t ]™ play is made up of short vignettes that focus on the importance of respecting boundaries and how students can contribute to a safer environment for everyone.  Vignettes will be performed by T-shirt Theatre actors and integrated with a moderated discussion lead by Honolulu Theatre for Youth actor educators.  Educators from the Sex Abuse Treatment Center will attend to participate in the discussion and provide information about resources available to schools, businesses, community organizations and individuals.  There is emotional content and, at times, difficult situations are played out onstage, but there will be absolutely no explicit language or sexual content at any point during the performance or discussion. The goal of the performance is to help people identify unhealthy behaviors and it will give them tools to respond to negative situations (i.e. bullying and sexual violence) in a respectful and helpful way.