Times-Herald

Family, Hope and Healing Convention to feature play at EACC’s Fine Arts Center

Katie West T-H Staff Writer

Who's talking and what happens when no one is listening?

Those are the questions First Judicial District Judge Kathy Hess, Evetta Whitby and other leaders with the county’s SUCCESS program are wanting to answer and share during a free youth event Saturday at East Arkansas Community College.

Residents are encouraged to bring their families to the EACC Fine Arts Center from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., for a play during a Family, Hope and Healing Convention.

SUCCESS has enlisted playwright Natasha Clay Hill, founder and CEO of Ova Flow Productions of Memphis, to direct youth in her play, "When No One Is Listening.”

Hill is no stranger to the issues that small rural communities in the Delta face and began writing after her own traumatic experience that led her to working with youth in the Delta.

She met Hess at an event in Brinkley.

“She introduced me to Mrs. Evetta and wanted me to do some work here, and the rest is history," said Hill. "We want this to be a collaboration that addresses unhealthy communication issues that derive from traumatic experiences,”

Hill said the conference and play's mission is to create a unified platform to serve as a method to provide information, healing and restoration to those affected by trauma and/or lack of proper communication that causes breakdowns between youth and their authority figures.

"When the adults aren't listening to the kids and the kids aren't listening to the adults, you cannot expect to have a positive outcome," said Hill.

It is the fourth play Hill said she has been "divinely inspired" to compose.

"I work by inspiration," she said. "God will deal with me about something, I’ll pray about it, then I sit down and I write."

Hill said the play tells the story of 16-year-old Jazmine who is struggling with her mental health as a result of trauma in her family.

"She has experienced the loss of a sibling and that has left her with a mother who is emotionally disconnected and suffering from mental and emotional issues as well," said Hill. "The play shows real life concerns and conversations in the classroom with teachers and students."

After the play, participants are invited to participate in breakout sessions with various presenters and booths that deal with healthy communication and other health and wellness topics.

"The fabric of society is held together by the ability to communicate," said Hill. "Our communities are torn apart because there are hurts that have been covered up by shame, guilt and lack of ability to overcome trauma."

SUCCESS leaders Whitby and volunteer Annie Norman hope to fill each of the 400-plus seats available for the production.

"Having educators, parents and youth together in one room will provide an amazing synergy," added Hill. "This gives us an opportunity to have a healthy dialogue, but also mediate conversations that unite families and communities."

"It is a free event and we really just want everyone to come," said Norman. "This is a need here in Forrest City and the surrounding communities. The first 100 into the door will also get a swag bag."

"People don't understand what the kids are going through,” Norman continued. “They always want to say the kid is bad, but there is no such thing as a bad kid. Try to find out why they are doing what they are doing."

Norman and Whitby said the message of the play really hit home with them.

"We've got to save these babies," Norman added.

"I was once that child that no one was listening to," added Whitby. "Then finally when I spoke, my mom listened. Adults and children, as a child we keep so much to ourselves. But this particular time mom listened and took everything I said very seriously at the time and we were able to move forward."

"With what Natasha is doing, there are so many kids who need to be listened to," added Whitby. "I'm so grateful because she took the time with our youth and added scenes to the play to make it more personable to them and our area here in Forrest City. You'll be seeing a message, but also the talents of some of the children we have here."

"This is something happening worldwide. This isn't just an issue we have in Forrest City," James Millbrooks Jr., one of the youth in the play, said on why families should attend. "This is an issue all kids suffer through and this is something that someone needs to come hear about. This is going to test somebody to the point they are actually going to start speaking about it."

Millbrooks added he hopes the play and followup sessions help families open up and begin speaking about their issues.

"It is just letting people know we are here and we want to be able to hear you and what matters to you too," said Millbrooks.

"Honestly I want other kids to just seek help and try to get help," added LaMya McShan, another youth in the play. “You can't just go through things without telling anybody, you need to seek help."

McShan says if families intently watch the play they'll see what the characters go through.

"And they'll be like 'wow they are really going through that too, maybe I should go out and seek help,’” said McShan. "They'll just identify with the characters in the play."

"I feel like the play will help people realize that when they are going through something and feel like they can't talk to anyone, there is always someone to talk to, even each other,” added Mariah Phillips, also in the play. Phillips is also on the Forrest City School District’s cheerleading team. "On my team I always make myself open so they feel like they can talk to me."

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2023-02-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://thnews.pressreader.com/article/281526525204209

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