This innovative play sheds light on the dark side of a popular drug

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By Katie Hunter
This Week Staff

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If you tell your teenager not to do drugs, what are the chances they are going to listen? Parents understand they cannot follow their teenager around to weekend parties, but hope they can instill a sense of responsibility to make them decide what's right on their own.

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Cranked is a play that portrays one young man's descent into cystal meth addiction. It will be performed at the Riverview Arts Centre on May 15 by Green Thumb Theatre.

Marijuana and alcohol abuse are commonly discussed within communities, but one drug, which fails to be included, is the addiction to crystal meth. Green Thumb is a theatre group based out of British Columbia who have been bringing the dark story of meth addiction across Canada since October 2006, and are headed to the Riverview Arts Centre May 15 at 7 p.m. While the play, written by Michael P. Northey, is intended for student audiences, it has been well received by everyone who sees it.

"Across the board the reaction has been quite stellar. It is usually performed in high schools, and occasionally within the community, for all ages," shares actor and lead Kyle Cameron. "The response is always real positive, where people are able to identify with the character and the story."

Kyle plays the role of main character Stan, a 17-year-old, who is a rising freestyle rapper on the verge of fame. As the story progresses, he falls into different pressures, the most intense being meth addiction. This is the story of his descent.

"The show speaks on the nature of addiction and someone who got into that cycle," shares Kyle, "But the message is pretty specific. Meth is in a class of it's own and is one of the most dangerous drugs out there."

What the play hopes to provide is through the realistic message, their influence will impact audiences lives.

"Since I began this role, my perception of meth addiction has changed," says the lead with conviction. "This show people will remember in large part because it's dark. It doesn't shy away from the issue and lets you see what can quite literally happen with meth addiction."

All the while, adds Kyle, the play doesn't sugar coat and it doesn't preach. Although the play direction is geared towards ages 13 and up, Green Thumb has found that staff in schools have jumped on board and have been as interested as the students during the performance. Kyle portrays many roles, which has led him to numerous encounters with students.

"People, have come up to me after the show telling me their stories," he says. "It's very empowering and very flattering. I find it very humbling that people have been sparked by my performance and by the company who have put on this show."

Though the message is clear, Kyle offers up this advice for those who deal with addiction. "I encourage students to seek attention in their community through a teacher or counselor."

To find out more about Green Thumb theatre, check out the following link, www.greenthumb.bc.ca,