Play At Mendel Center Based On Reflections Of Benton Harbor Students

bhhighschool5-44
bhhighschool5-44

A new play to be performed at Lake Michigan College explores how students in Benton Harbor feel about their community. “Our Side of the River” will debut on November 19 with additional performances on the 20th and 21st at The Mendel Center. Director Paul Mow tells us the one-act play was written by Chicago playwright Terry Guest and is based on the book of the same name published last year by Benton Harbor Area Schools. In it, students from grades seven through 12 at Benton Harbor Area Schools offer their reflections on growing up in Benton Harbor

“Some of them are very current,” Mow said. “Some of them are about COVID. Some of them are about violence. Some of them are about the churches. Some of them are about experiences of joy. Growing up in Benton Harbor is a very different life for some of these students than some of the other kids in adjoining towns.”

Mow says it’s not often the college gets to do a play focused on local issues. November 20th’s performance of the show will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Benton Harbor community leaders. You can get tickets at TheMendelCenter.com.