Westchester Suburban Life

(Hillside and Maywood, Illinois)

By Jerry Moore

Carlos Griffin singing to Satari Brown at Proviso H.S in Hillside.

The power of positive messages

Members of an acting group have made it their mission to tell youths they have an alternative to resolving conflicts through violence.

The Messages Which Are Hopeful! Performing Arts Troupe uses the talents of teenagers and young adults to reach others. They gave performances at both Proviso East and Proviso West high schools last month.

"We use performing arts as a way to communicate messages to young people and parents," said Ray Moffitt, director and founder of the group. "You look for young people who have talent that can be developed and who have their heads and hearts in the right place."


"I like the exposure because it's positive exposure," said troupe member Nastasha Prunty, 17, of West Aurora High School." I like to expose myself to positive influences and to other people."

Students at Proviso East High School in Maywood watched two performances by MWAH! Oct. 27. The group then gave two performances at Proviso West High School in Hillside Oct. 28. Through acting, singing and dancing, troupe members conveyed messages concerning racism, violence and respecting others.

"The students really enjoyed it. I was hoping they would," said Delinda Davis, outreach coordinator at Proviso West. "They got the message about certain behaviors being destructive. It was great. I'm very happy."

According to Davis, two scenes affected students the most.

One occurred at the beginning of the performance during which two cast members started fighting after one used a racial slur. School security guards ran into the theater to break up the melee as part of the act, which added to the realism of the scene.

The other scene involved a male cast member physically confronting a female cast member to demonstrate the seriousness of domestic violence. Davis said once students understood these scenes were staged for dramatic effect, they understood the importance of finding alternatives to violence.

"And, of course, the girls liked the boys' singing," Davis said.

Moffitt said he started a group called The Explosive Rockets Street Jazz Theatrical Troupe about 11 years ago while working with the Maywood Police Department. Given his background in social work and journalism, Moffitt saw this group as an outlet for young people to express themselves through creative methods. It developed into MWAH! several years later, he said.

"This is great for going places and meeting people," said troupe member Carlos Griffin, a 22-year-old Aurora resident. "It's been a lot of fun."

Members of the group said they appreciate the opportunity that being part of MWAH! gives them in pursuing their interests in performing arts.

"There is no substitute for experience when you have the opportunity to experience different backgrounds," said Clarence Welton of Aurora, whose 15-year-old son, Josh, is a troupe member." The feedback from the audience is invaluable. They respond to the message and become involved."