"Mentor Wonders" Drama, seeks Critical Response from Viewers

I’m writing a drama that combines poetry, music, and dialog about mentors volunteering in a local bilingual public school. I’ll screen a video of the play, “Mentor Wonders” as we have been rehearsing it to further develop the script. I’m asking viewers to respond with reactions and suggestions before I’ve finalized the script, to help me make it more realistic.

Several months of rehearsals on Zoom with actors from Seniors In Play (SIP) and other local theaters, and this series of 6 viewer feedback screenings, will help me finalize the script. Dress Rehearsals will be Zoom-recorded and combined with daydream-like music videos (poetry about mentoring, set to original music by composer Cecil R. Carter; and actual videos of mentor/mentee interactions from 2010 and 2016). These assets will all be edited together by director of photography James E. Sanders, Jr. into a feature video for anticipated premiere in November 2022.

During these Critical Response Screenings, we may also discuss some of the issues raised in the play. Spanish-dominant and/or less affluent children entering public school face challenges that cause such problems as tardiness, excessive absences, disruptive behavior, and academic weakness. Mentors help students overcome these challenges by providing one-on-one attention. School lockdown drills, necessitated by lax regulation of firearms, can upset mentors, staff, and students alike.

Made possible with support from the City of San Antonio, Department of Arts & Culture, for which we are grateful.