By: Aidan Stacks & Gabrielle David
On Monday, November 9, the 7th and 8th graders of Fallon Middle School watched a play, Nightmare on Puberty Street. This play touched many subjects, such as drugs, depression, body shaming, puberty, sexual activity , and peer pressure. Brought to us by Kaiser Permanente, and four 22 year old´s, Cameron, Natalie, Eric, and Anya, Nightmare on Puberty Street included four middle schooler´s dealing with all of these things. Cameron played a character named Nick who was abused by his dad and he was surrounded by negative influences. Natalie played Natalie a girl going through puberty and was called the school slut. Anya played Malika, a girl struggling with suicidal thoughts and peer pressure. Finally, Eric played Jerry, a kid who decided to be himself and got called a nerd and dork because of it.
To sum this play up, it started off and ended with a song. In between the music, these kids all intertwined together and formed relationships with each other that taught us about the struggles teens face. They all just wanted to be normal, and all had problems with themselves. At the beginning of the all of the characters were at the doctor’s office asking their doctors if these things they were going through normal. They were. The rest of Nightmare on Puberty Street was just about them all struggling with their problems, and eventually, they got through it.
Nightmare on Puberty Street also mentions something really important; a phone number. This number:1-800-843-5200, is one you can call. No judgement, just a number that you can use to talk to someone when no one else is available and the number is 24/7, so you can talk to any one. The actors really tried to stress that this number is important if you need it.
Finally, we asked some Fallon kids how they felt about this play. Let’s find out what they said.
Q: How do you feel about Nightmare on Puberty Street?
A:
Overall, we think Kaiser Permanente nailed it. Good job guys!
To sum this play up, it started off and ended with a song. In between the music, these kids all intertwined together and formed relationships with each other that taught us about the struggles teens face. They all just wanted to be normal, and all had problems with themselves. At the beginning of the all of the characters were at the doctor’s office asking their doctors if these things they were going through normal. They were. The rest of Nightmare on Puberty Street was just about them all struggling with their problems, and eventually, they got through it.
Nightmare on Puberty Street also mentions something really important; a phone number. This number:1-800-843-5200, is one you can call. No judgement, just a number that you can use to talk to someone when no one else is available and the number is 24/7, so you can talk to any one. The actors really tried to stress that this number is important if you need it.
Finally, we asked some Fallon kids how they felt about this play. Let’s find out what they said.
Q: How do you feel about Nightmare on Puberty Street?
A:
- ¨The play was funny and entertaining. A little awkward and cringe-y at times, but I think it gave a good messages and people learned a lot. ¨
- ¨Better than previous years.”
- ¨It was okay. It was hard to believe these kids were middle schoolers, but it was informational. The songs were a bit much.¨
- ¨Umm.. let’s not talk about it.¨
- ¨Nightmare on Puberty Street was a good play that taught me a lot. I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know, but I’m glad I know it and could skip the chat with my parents.¨
Overall, we think Kaiser Permanente nailed it. Good job guys!