Franklin Park Herald-Journal

MWAH! cast member Rob Delgado in his role as a controlling and abusive boyfriend during an appearance by the troupe at Mannheim Middle School on August 19, 2011. He later told the two audiences that in his real life he has never and would never use violence in dealing with problems.
(photo by Tamara Bell of the Pioneer Press – Sun Times Media)

An impactful anti-bullying kick-off at Mannheim Middle School by
MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe

August 22, 2011

By Arcadia Kust, writer for the Franklin Park Herald-Journal, a Pioneer Press publication of the Sun-Times Media.

The MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe appeared at Mannheim Middle School on August 19, 2011 as a kick-off for the school’s anti-bullying program for the new school year. About 850 students in grades 6-8 from the communities of Franklin Park, Melrose Park, and Northlake attended the troupe’s two presentations.

"The whole staff agreed that Friday’s performance was the best assembly they’d ever seen," said Mannheim Assistant Principal Kevin Szczesniak.

"They talked about how to deal with bullies, how words can hurt and how to report someone that's being abused," Szczesniak added. "They also talked about how to make good decisions and show someone that they’re special." The performance was part of Mannheim’s anti-bullying program, Creating a Respectful Environment.

The traveling troupe, founded in 1984, addresses a variety of youth issues, including abusive relationships, the values of diversity, teen depression awareness, and the possible tragic consequences of using alcohol and other drugs. The troupe responds to requests for performances throughout Illinois and beyond. Szczesniak said he first learned of the MWAH! troupe from a performance at a convention in Springfield, Illinois for middle school and junior high students.

"We were interested in having them address the issues of bullying and cyber-bullying," Szczesniak said. "Mannheim Middle School is a very safe place, so we were interested in being proactive rather than reactive." About 900 high school students and their advisors from throughout Illinois participated in the convention in Lombard, sponsored by the Illinois Association of Student Councils.

During the Mannheim performances, the school principal, Tim Daley, spoke about procedures in place at his school for dealing with abusive behavior, including in-person bullying and cyber-bullying.

MWAH! Director Ray Moffitt said this is an integral part of each show.

"We’re not just about entertainment, we’re about education," said Moffitt, a former police social worker in Maywood. "We like to do a smart show, and the dancing and singing is there largely to get people’s attention. The issues we deal with are pretty hard hitting and serious."

MWAH! is comprised of 15 students from across Illinois, ranging in age from 11 to 20 years old. Performances are made up of true stories and personal testimonies combined with singing, dancing and audience interaction.

"Since students come from all over the state, we do most of our rehearsing during the summer and then again the night before the performance," Moffitt said. "We typically perform about twice a month."

Rob Delgado, a 15-year-old member of the troupe, got involved with MWAH! after they performed at his school.

"I really love being a part of MWAH! because you can see that we’re reaching these kids," Delgado said. "You can see it in their faces. Students always come up to me after the show and tell me about their experiences and how much they appreciate us being there."