Robert Smith

Murry Bergtraum High School, Grade 12

What do you think of when you hear the name Cinderella?

Magic wands? Pumpkin wagons? Maybe fairy godmothers and talking mice?

Well, think again.

Youth on Target's recent production of Cinderella took a different approach while telling the familiar story. There were no evil step-sisters trying to make Cinderella's life miserable in this production. Instead, Cinderella is surrounded by a caring family after her father's death, but she chooses to grieve by herself. In this version, Cinderella doesn't even want to go to the ball.

Youth on Target is a group of NYU graduates who decided to create theatre for children ages nine to fourteen after they found a lack of opportunities for this age group. Productions aimed at this demographic are generally too juvenile and do not hold the interest of a young audience member. Youth on Target hopes to show young people that theatre is a riveting form of entertainment.

While developing a new version of the classic fairytale, Youth on Target collaborators made the story their own by taking a more mature approach to the widely recognized story, while making the production fun and energizing. At the same time, it was important to company members that the characters were relatable to a young audience. Another goal that was effectively reached was the theme that a strong family can help you through almost any type of adversity.

Youth on Target's mission reminds me of the late, great Wendy Wasserstein's initiative to make theatre accessible to hundreds of High School students, both by providing tickets to productions as well as finding passionate theatre professionals to serve as mentors. TDF's Open Doors and continues to share Ms. Wasserstein's love of theatre. I am sure that Ms. Wasserstein would be proud to know that other artists, such as Youth on Target, are following in her footsteps.

Cinderella - princess from the ashes with a fancy pair of shoes OR withdrawn, grieving teenager?

Youth on Target lets you decide.

Cinderella presented by Youth on Target finished its summer run, but check out their website for more information. Play by Play will keep you posted on future productions.