Press Releases

April 5, 2004

Southampton College Troupe Presents HIV/AIDS Awareness Program
Outreach Theater Tours Area Schools With "Better Choices, Better Chances: Four Play"

Contact:
Patricia Conway
631-287-8313

Southampton, N.Y. - The Southampton Players Outreach Theatre, or S.P.O.T., will be presenting their fourth incarnation of their highly-successful, original sex-education series, "Better Choices, Better Chances: Four Play" to local high schools during the week of April 15 to 19.

The straightforward touring program depicts issues relevant to HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases in language that the students speak and hear. The idea for the program originated as a concept proposed to Southampton Players director Michael Disher by Dr. John Oppenheimer as an outreach to area high school students.

"The idea behind "Better Choices, Better Chances" was to give students information in candid language that they will understand from students not much older than them," said Disher. "High school students have a feeling of invincibility, they think these things won't happen to them. Our troupe members have, of course, been through the same experiences as these younger students and offer a great, understandable perspective."

Since its inception, "Better Choice, Better Chances" has reached more than 4,500 East End middle and high school students. All the pieces are original, written by the Players themselves under the guidance of Disher. The performances are interactive, enlisting audience participation, and include a question and answer period. Previous shows have included mock dating games and quiz shows that address sex issues. This year, the program has expanded to include adolescent issues including acceptance, homosexuality, abstinence and birth control.

"As times change, so do students - new ideas and ideals - and as time goes on statistics become more harrowing," said Disher. Our performances are unique in that sense, no two shows are ever alike. We just want to get the information out there."

"Better Choices, Better Chances: Four Play," is scheduled to perform at Southampton High School, Westhampton Beach High School, Riverhead High School, East Hampton Middle School, Bridgehampton School and Pierson High School in Sag Harbor. In addition, a free, public performance will be staged in the Avram Theatre on Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m.

All participants in the program are required to attend an 8-hour training session with the New York State Department of Health/AIDS Institute so their presentations are factually represented. The program is funded in part by Southampton Hospital and the David E. Rogers Center for HIV/AIDS Care. For further information, call Michael Disher at (631) 287-8088.