/ It's On

In Focus

Sunday, May 18, 2008
10:30 AM

Host Bob Lee interviews Susan Arnold, Artistic Director, and several cast members of C.A.S.T. (Clean & Sober Theatre), an innovative alcohol and other drug prevention and education program that utilizes live theatre to convey the real-life experiences of local teens and young adults whose lives have been impacted by addiction.

The teenage guests were heavy substance abusers. They were referred to the C.A.S.T. program while in rehab. They put on a performance during the program, revealing their personal experiences of addiction and recovery in very painful detail. 

Arnold says the performance promotes individual and community awareness and opens a candid dialogue related to alcohol and other drug use and addiction. She says it also empowers many audience members to recognize the problem and act on their personal obligation to be a part of the solution.

Arnold says C.A.S.T. members participate in weekly therapy sessions, getting in touch with the emotions that led to their addictions.  She says the goal is to do 40 CAST performances during a school year. She adds The C.A.S.T. script changes each year based on the young people who participate. Thus, although the major concepts are the same, she says the show itself may be different from one year to the next.

Bob Lee Community Relations Coordinator KTTU-TV 1855 N. 6th Avenue Tucson, AZ 85705 E-mail: BLee@kttu.com Subject: In Focus