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Kenya King
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Perimeter College
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CLARKSTON, Ga.—Perimeter College at Georgia State University teamed up with Synchronicity Theatre for an opportunity to make a profound community impact through theatre. The theatre’s Playmaking for Girls (PFG) initiative took place in the college’s Fine Arts building on Clarkston Campus this summer, bringing together area high school students and Perimeter students for an innovative theatre outreach program.
During PFG, teen girls from metro Atlanta are empowered to tell their real-life stories through theater, and Perimeter students gain hands-on experience working directly with the teens and a professional theatre company. The week-long program concluded with a theater production in Clarkston’s Cole Auditorium.
This year, six Perimeter students–Shana Hughes, Caitlin Lumpkin, Claudia Madden, Lauryn Packer, Serena Taylor and Gracie Whitney–got the opportunity to work with Synchronicity Theatre as paid interns. Over the last three years, Perimeter student interns have gone on to become instructors and directors with the PFG program, continuing their internship with Synchronicity year-round.
In addition to giving Perimeter students actual paid work experience, “PFG also underscores Perimeter College's commitment to college-to-career success and showcases our industry partnerships,” said Sunny Vidrine, the production manager for Perimeter’s Fine Arts department.
“We are honored that professional theatre companies want to collaborate with us and readily hire our students. It is a testament to both our reputation in the industry and our dedication to cultivating students that professional theatres are excited to work with.”
Atlanta’s Synchronicity Theatre has worked with teen girls through PFG for more than 20 years. Many of the participants have been impacted by the Department of Juvenile Justice system and are living in group homes by court appointment. Others have recently come to the United States as refugees and are acclimating to a new country and language. These young students, which, this summer, included 20 high school student participants, came together as playwrights and actors for a full year preceding their week-long rehearsal on Perimeter’s campus. The week concluded with a performance of original work based on the personal lives of the participants.
“Because the girls of PFG are community members who are seeing our campus sometimes for the first time, this program serves potential future Perimeter students and is, therefore, a great program for recruitment,” Vidrine said. “The girls become familiar with our building and have a chance to see themselves as students at Perimeter.
“By uplifting voices that might otherwise be silent and giving the girls an outlet to tell their stories in a safe and supportive environment, PFG is a worthy cause that we are honored to host and help make possible.”
Vidrine plays an active role in finding Perimeter students for the Playmaking for Girls internship. She’s always on the lookout for good candidates, and as the Fine Arts department’s production manager, she has the opportunity to witness students’ work throughout the academic year.
“I get to know them and their work habits and take note of those who are standouts in dedication, dependability, and empathy.”
She also asks faculty to recommend students who demonstrate these qualities in the classroom. Vidrine submits her list of candidates to Synchronicity, and the students go through an interview process. The theatre company then selects the best group of Perimeter students to work with the high school girls.
“Everyone involved with this production is passionate about the mission of giving voice to young girls with stories to tell,” Vidrine said.
Story by Christy Petterson