Being a teenager can be really hard. Especially if you’ve flunked out of school. Or your dad has disappeared. Or you’re incarcerated at a juvenile detention center and don’t see much hope for the future. And teaching those teenagers can be pretty hard too, as Judith Sloan can attest. She works with at-risk youth, teaching theater, writing, and juggling in alternative schools and jails. Most of her students are angry and at first reluctant to express themselves. But often, with some coaxing, they eventually do. And then Judith finds ways to shape their words and expressions into stories that are part-drama, part-documentary, and part-music. One story in particular, Sweeping Statements, explores this process and the complicated lives of Judith’s students. Premiered on Third Coast International Audio Festival web broadcast 2008. Winner Missouri Review, National Audio Competition.
credits
from Yo Miss!,
released September 29, 2016
Sweeping Statements Vocal arrangements and production Judith Sloan. Voices Judith Sloan, Jonathan David, Adam MJ Hill. Music composed by Taylor Rivelli. Dave Guy trumpets, Andrew Griffin violas. Arrangement by Judith Sloan, Taylor Rivelli, Josh Valleau with additional sequencing by Tomek Gross. Mixed and mastered by Joshua Valleau.
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