I liked that the actors were really involved in what the audience thought and were feeling. We learned to have more courage in standing up to bullies for ourselves and for other students. — Fifth Grade Student

Youth is a crucial time to develop conflict resolution strategies. Once adopted, these strategies can stay with students through middle and high school as well as in social situations outside of school.

Say Something, Do Something is an interactive and immersive program that uses participatory theater techniques to build critical thinking, decision making, and interpersonal skills to help students think about how to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence.

Students witness a recreated scene based on real-life situations they experience, then have the opportunity to actively help the target of the scene’s conflict. Students interview characters to develop a deeper understanding of what influences people to make these negative choices. They are invited to replace the actors, re-play the scene, and improvise their own strategies for a more positive outcome. After this rehearsal for real life, students will be better equipped to recognize potential conflict in their schools and take action to create a culture of non-violence.

Celeste Grayer, School Social Worker, St. Louis Public Schools, said “Say Something, Do Something provided a new perspective and gave the children a chance to practice and have an open discussion. The students loved that they were able to interact and be a part of the conversation. They all learned something new and were able to see it in action.”

This program is primarily designed for 4th - 6th grade students, as studies show that building resiliency around issues of violence at this age is optimum to achieve long-term success. However, the program has been adapted for other age groups upon request.

If you’re interested in bringing Say Something, Do Something to your school, contact Eleanor Marsh at eleanor@metroplays.org.

Say Something, Do Something
By Jason J. Little
Directed by John Wolbers
Education Director: Karen Bain
Facilitators: Tyler White and Gen Zoufal
Actors: Kentrell Jamison, Alicen Kramer-Moser, Carl Overly Jr, and Chrissie Watkins
Production Stage Manager: Jimmy Bernatowicz

This year’s installment of Say Something, Do Something is particularly exciting, as it has been selected by the National Endowment for the Arts for one of only 14 Research in the Arts grants in the country. So, classrooms participating in the fall will not only directly benefit from the program, they will be part of a study that will have the potential to benefit young people all across the country.

“Say Something, Do Something is a great way for kids to walk in someone else’s shoes and see what situations look and feel like from a different perspective. I remember playing the role of a bully. During the hot seat portion where kids are able to ask questions to each character about the scene, this girl asked my character why she was taking out her frustrations on the target character. I responded in character, 'Don’t you ever have bad days?' and she didn’t respond. She sat and reflected. Later on, her teacher came up to me and said she was happy for that interaction because that girl was similar to my character and she believed the Say Something, Do Something program had reached her in some way. This program is not a quick fix, but it is a gateway to have open conversations about empathy, humanity, and understanding." — Chrissie Watkins, Say Something, Do Something actor

“The best part of this program is seeing the kids come up with solutions for issues we tackle everyday and being able to bring theater to kids who might not have an opportunity to experience it otherwise.” — Chris E. Ware, Say Something, Do Something actor and facilitator

"One of the things that always stuck out to me is how well I could see young people find effective ways out of difficult situations. We were always able to see it unfold right before our eyes. I still think about some of the creative strategies they came up with. I'm glad to have been given the chance to work on such a great project." — Michael Pierce, Say Something, Do Something actor

"I loved every moment of Say Something, Do Something. Getting a chance to shape the minds of youth in a positive way has been so fulfilling to me as an actor and as a parent. The life lessons that young people are getting from this program is very valuable. I wish had a program like this growing up! Say Something, Do Something is making the world a better place! I believe that this program needs to be in every school from elementary through high school. How we prepare today shapes our tomorrow. Our children are the future." — Jason J. Little, Say Something, Do Something actor

Jason J. Little is thrilled to be joining the Metro Theater company as a playwright for Say Something, Do Something. His acting journey began in a small town in Ottawa, Kansas where he attended Ottawa University and played football on a partial scholarship (2009). Jason was encouraged to audition for a stage play at the university due to lack of participation among the community, he did, and landed the lead role in Oleanna. Since then, he has been pursuing his passion in acting. Jason just recently finished working with the Shakespeare Festival in two plays: King Lear with Tony award winning actor Andre De Shields and performing Othello in Othello. His writing credits include Monologues for You and skits for his children on YouTube and social media.

John Wolbers has worn many hats for Metro Theater Company since he joined in 2007 as an actor in Hana’s Suitcase. For years he served as the Youth Theatre Coordinator and Camp of the Arts Director for the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, and eventually became the full-time Resident Teaching Artist for Metro Theater Company in 2012. With over a decade of experience as a professional actor, director, producer, and playwright; he transitioned to Producing Associate in 2018. John is passionately dedicated to fostering equity, accessibility, and support for the St. Louis arts community. He has worked with teachers and students across the region to write realistic scenes for Metro Theater Company’s innovative bullying prevention program, Say Something, Do Something, and adapted It’s a Wonderful Life for the mainstage. Additionally, John has adapted thirteen of Shakespeare's plays and a stage parody of The Lord of the Rings series. He is the author of two original plays: The Playing Ground and Doctor Faustus, or the Modern Prometheus, which received a St. Louis Theater Circle Award nomination for Outstanding New Play. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Southwestern University.

A native of St. Louis, Tyler White is a full-time artist who is elated to work with Metro Theater Company. Tyler is granted the duty of both serving her role as theatre artist both on and off the stage. Her credits on stage include Teaspoon in Sarafina, Talisha in Like Sugar, Yolanda in Crowns, Ensemble in The Black Nativity, Lillie Mae in The Me Nobody Knows, Ensemble in Don't Bother Me- I Can't Cope (The Black Rep), Ermina in Crumbs from the Table of Joy (Mustard Seed Productions) , Woman in Yellow in For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf (Washington University), and Knight/Ensemble in King Lear (St. Louis Shakespeare Festival). Stage manager credits include The Barber of Seville (Union Opera , Hairspray Jr. (COCA). Assistant Stage Manager Credits include Canfield Drive, Two Trains Running and Nina Simone: Four Women (The Black Rep).Tyler served as Education/Community Director for 3 years at The Black Rep. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Science.

Gen Zoufal is Resident Teaching Artist at Metro Theater Company. Outside of her time at Metro Theater Company, Gen also worked at Seattle Children’s Theater in a number of capacities, including the education and development departments. Gen holds a BFA in Theater Arts, with a concentration in Theater for Young Audiences, and a double major in Psychology, with a concentration in Human Development from DePaul University. She is honored to have the opportunity to bring arts education that engages students and invites them to challenge the world around them to schools and communities across St. Louis with MTC.

Kentrell Jamison joins Metro Theater Company as an actor in the Say something Do Something, He is also the Production Assistant for the St. Louis Repertory’s World Premier of The Gradient. During his college years, Kentrell performed in multiple dance recitals and student theatrical performances. After graduation he joined the St. Louis Black Rep as an Acting Intern performing in the staged reading as Terrance in Front Porch Society, the chief man, tiger man, vines, and sky beast in The Incredible Jungle Journey of Finda Maria, and in the devised poetry piece Do I Move You. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelors of Performing Arts. He is a Chicago (City) native who is looking forward to his journey in the entertainment industry touring the world.

Alicen Kramer-Moser returns to Metro Theater Company after having the pleasure of performing in past productions of Say Something, Do Something. Some of her recent credits include Jessica in District Merchants (New Jewish Theater), Irina in Moscow! (ERA), Judith in Equivocation (West End Player’s Guild), and Creon in Antigone (ERA). Alicen is a Co-founder and Co-Artistic director of Poor Monsters, a theater company dedicated to highlighting the voices of gender minorities through experimental recreations of classic works. As a St. Louis native with degrees in Theatre (BA) and English Literature (MA) from Saint Louis University, Alicen is eager to share this one-of-a-kind program with her community once more.

Carl Overly Jr is a full-time artist living his dream. He returns to Metro Theater Company after being seen as Coach in Idris Goodwin’s Ghost. Some of Carl’s favorite past roles include Cornwall in St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s King Lear, Wolf in Two Trains Running with The Black Rep and Lennie in Of Mice and Men with SATE. Carl is a teaching artist with Prison Performing Arts and COCA. Carl will be directing The Rimers of Eldritch at Saint Louis University in the Spring. Carl is a 3-time Theater Circle award winner. #representationmatters

Chrissie Watkins is delighted to return to the Say Something Do Something tour with Metro Theater Company. Some of her other credits include Mary Warren in The Crucible (Stray Dog Theatre), Ronnie in Fixed (Solid Lines Productions), Black Woman in Race (Civics Arts Company), or Sylvia in Sylvia (Theatre Guild of Webster Groves). She won the Theatre Masks Awards for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Comedy for her role in Sylvia. She also has short film appearances in Hope Lives Here and Down the Cubicle along with a few shorts she has written herself as well that are expected to be released next year.