MWAH! troupe visits Blackhawk in Bensenville

MWAH! cast members portray a party scene involving alcohol and other drugs as Leah Ballard (far right) sings "How to Save a Life" by The Fray. This scene was followed by the sound of a loud bang, sirens and the story of a single-car crash 18 months ago that killed three Illinois teenagers.
(Jeremy Reed of Impact Life Photography)

BENSENVILLE – The Boston Marathon bombing and the Sandy Hook school massacre were among two topics highlighted by the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe during a special presentation this month at Blackhawk Middle School.

The troupe also focused on tragic instances of bullying and child abuse, as well as the perspective of a seventh-grade troupe member who's coping with the divorce of her parents.

The essence of the 14-member MWAH! ensemble – an acronym for Messages Which Are Hopeful! – is real-life drama combined with contemporary music and lots of audience interaction. A key objective on May 6 was to get Blackhawk students and staff to think about the messages presented by peers and relate them to themselves and their own families.

Members of the current MWAH! troupe range in age from 12 to 19, hailing from nine communities in the western suburbs, Rockford and Chicago. For more information, visit mwah.net.

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For more information about MWAH! or to book an event, call Moffitt at 630-993-0003, or visit the website MWAH! page.