WFU students help LEAP program develop this weekend’s performances about youth experiences

The LEAP students will perform, “Written by Himself – Written by Herself,” April 19 through April 22 at the Artistic Studio School for the Performing Arts. Jeryl Prescott, associate dean of the College at Wake Forest, will direct the show.

Wake Forest students in Prescott’s English 111 class helped the LEAP students develop the show after meeting with them several times this year to discuss the ethical and social dilemmas youth face. The Wake Forest group guided LEAP students as they translated their feelings and experiences into their preferred medium. The result is “Written by Himself – Written by Herself,” a collection of monologues, vignettes, poetry, rap and choral pieces.

The Wake Forest students also designed the set for the LEAP students’ program. Tickets for “Written by Himself – Written by Herself” will cost $5 for students and $10 for adults. Tickets for adult family members of LEAP students will cost $7. Performances will be at 8 p.m. April 19- 21, and at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on April 22.

LEAP is a program for fifth through eighth-grade students who have been retained, or are over-age for their grade, said Doug Hinson, director of marketing and communications for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools. LEAP Academy’s school year lasts 200 days and successful students leap two grade levels at the end of one extended school year.

For more information about “Written by Himself – Written by Herself,” call Artistic Studio at 336-723-7473.