The Wrestling Season

January 24 – February 19, 2012
By Laurie Brooks

With only a wrestling mat and a referee, eight teenagers struggle with how others see them and the destructive power of rumors. Commissioned and premiered by the Coterie in 2000, it is one of the most important plays in the Coterie’s history, and more significant today than ever. After each performance, the referee guides the audience through a post-show Forum. As the actors, in character, discuss their actions with us, we rank their behavior from most to least objectionable.

"The Wrestling Season can do more in 80 minutes to facilitate honest conversation about school peer relationships than most multi-year anti-bullying initiatives. It is real, edgy, fast-paced and engaging. It wrestles with vital issues (identity formation, peer pressure, rumors, bullying) without giving ’pat’ answers. Instead, youth are challenged to think critically and reflectively about the power and long-term effects of their words and actions.”
--Avis Smith, ACSW, LSCSW, LCSW Director of Prevention and School Based Programs Crittenton Children’s Center
Issues/Themes

Peer to peer interactions; students coping with bullying/hate speech; character education; tolerance.

Content

No strong language. Actions and consequences are played out. Two characters struggle after accused of being gay. Also, characterized on stage in metaphor is a male to female assault and its legal ramifications. Recommended for 7th grade through high school.

Curriculum Ties
Health promotion (conflict resolution, healthy expression of wants/needs/feelings); Social Studies (Civics, rule of law).

Educators: Check this page approximately two weeks before the first performance for a full resource menu of educational activities, including our new Viewtube Series (sample below), where we talk directly with your students.

80 MINUTES - Approximate length
Preteen/Young Adult Series