Madcap Teen Comedy To Raise
Environmental Awareness

"It’s the end of the world and we don’t feel fine!" so begins a ridiculously funny fifty-minute exploration of teen consumerism and how it affects waste production. "The End of the World Show," a production entirely developed and created by local high school students, has its world premiere at Montpelier’s Lost Nation Theater Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

"The End of the World Show" is a madcap collection of sketch comedy in the vein of "Saturday Night Live" and "Mad TV." The inspiration for the sketches come from such diverse sources as "The Jerry Springer Show" and "The Magic School Bus" with some new Olympic sports and a musical collage climaxing in a James Bond appearance thrown in for fun. Interspersed within the zaniness are several monologues which more honestly explore some of the serious themes poked fun at in the sketches.

The production is a first ever collaboration between Lost Nation Theater and the Association of Vermont Recyclers. AVR regularly brings educational theater pieces on environmental themes into schools throughout the state. They have had a lot of success reaching the elementary and middle school audience, but have not yet succeeded in creating a play that resonates with high school students.

Instead of hiring an adult playwright to write about what he or she thinks will interest high school students, AVR decided to go right to the source with this project. They contacted Lost Nation about creating a show with local high school students.

During the summer, Lost Nation’s Education Coordinator, David Stradley, worked with students from Montpelier High School, U-32, Spaulding High School, and Hazen High School on developing a script that would hit home with its target audience. Students brainstormed to find an appropriate format and material. They then developed the material through improvisational exercises and individual writing projects. The result is a funny, thought-provoking script that is by high school students for high school students.

Admission is by donation. For more information, contact Lost Nation Theater (802-229-0492) or Nancy Notterman at the Association of Vermont Recyclers (802-229-1833).

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