In partnership with the Department of Education Negros Oriental, the Youth Advocates through Theater Arts (YATTA) conducted a Basic Integrated Theater Arts Workshop (BITAW) for select students of the Negros Oriental High School, led by their teacher, Greg Canete.
YATTA artist-trainors Junsly Kitay, Benjie Kitay, and Onna Rhea Quizo facilitated the three-day workshop held at the DepEd building and at the Consuelo Multipurpose Center in Brgy. Batinguel from Jan. 29-31.
Fifty Grades 7-9 participants went through an arduous screening process after getting over 200 applicants.
The NOHSIANs plunged into a series of activities such as energizers and brain gym exercises, theater games, improvisation, movement, singing and songwriting, while sharing their stories and tackling youth issues, including poverty, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and climate change.
The facilitators said they were impressed with the energy, quick wits, perseverance, and humor of the students, and said they hope this will be a big boost in the efforts to organize a theater group at NOHS.
The workshop ended with encouraging words from YATTA Artistic Director Dessa Quesada-Palm: “Keep this spirit alive because these are the kind of things that will change the world. There is no other way but through your engagement, teenagers who feel good about themselves, who know that they can think about and do something about social issues. We hope that in the many months and in the many years to come you, will not give up on this because this is what makes us better persons, if not better artists. Thank you for inspiring us because this is what gives us joy in continuing our work.” (Raphaelle Aranas)
