Bringing The Teens and Officers’ Stories to the Stage The Us or Them script was initially fashioned from poetry and creative writing by the officers and teens in our program, as well as interviews conducted by Sharon Evans. The participating officers make up a diverse group from all specialties within the Chicago Police Department and the teens live all over the city. Most had little to no theater experience, two of the police officers had performed before they joined the force. In spring 2003, we received word from the Arts—Learning Division of the National Endowment for the Arts that we would receive a $8000 grant for our production Us Or Them. Arts Learning is designed to involve school aged children in creating and presenting art. Our NEA grant allowed us to pay our teens a stipend for their participation in the rehearsal process and performances, which was crucial since many of them gave up part time work to be part of our show. The interview process revealed the similarities and differences of our group members. An effort was made to avoid standard stories about crime and violence and the interview questions focused on the wider issue of youthful experience. As the tapes were transcribed, certain themes emerged and became the basis for many of the scenes in our play. The officers recounted their own youth and contact with gangs when they were growing up as well as their on the job experiences with youth. The teens talked about the pressures in their lives and stories they have either heard about the police or have experienced firsthand. In an effort to get authentic material one teen in our group conducted his own interviews during and after school. We also included materials from members of our group who chose not to perform. We did our first reading with professional Chicago actors, so the teens and officers could hear their words as objectively as possible. We wanted them to approve their stories and have the opportunity to cut material they felt uncomfortable sharing in public. Evans then organized their stories by theme and began the process of making scenes out of the raw material. Predictable themes emerged: gangs, guns and crime of course but also more abstract impressions. Both the teens and officers talked about being nervous in the dark. Police officers working the night shift feel more vulnerable and at risk. Going to and from part time jobs, often late at night, the teens fear being the victims of crime. We asked the teens and cops to write poetry on the theme of " light and dark " to tap into those fears. We also asked them basic questions about an average day and then we paralleled their experiences: the cops talked about the pressures of their police work, while the teens talked about their part-time jobs, and difficulties at school and home. We included a section in the play that reflected comedic moments as well. But we encouraged them search their memories for personal stories and memories on the theme of violence and death. Adrianna Lopez, a teenager in the ensemble, told of having her hair cut off at knifepoint because of her brother's gang affiliations. Teen Michael Rivera described seeing a classmate shot dead at a bus stop. P.O. Tim O''Brien described having bricks, bleach and TVs dropped on him from a CHA high rise while on the job. Sgt. Stacy Kraft told of a former partner shot in the head while in the line of duty. Through the process of interviewing and transcribing, Evans found many similarities between the officers and teens. She realized that P.O. Robles and Adianna Lopez both came to America as children, Robles from Puerto Rico and Lopez from Mexico. She cross cut their stories to create the "Immigrant Duet". A haiku written by Sgt. Stacy Kraft inspired the title we have chosen, Us or Them. The poem addresses the regret many officers feel about the negative attitude citizens hold toward their profession. It also makes a direct link to the teens and their feelings of fear toward the police. What our group learned through the process of creating the script is that the conflicts that exist between teens and cops are the same as the things they have in common: gangs, guns, government indifference and poverty. Both cops and teens brush up against these obstacles daily, often with tragic results. They know first hand that there are no easy answers. The most extreme conflicts they endure are from what surrounds them, not from each other. This is their link. Us or Them (script excerpt) SCENE 9: THE IMMIGRANT DUET ADRIANNA AND MILTON ENTER FROM OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STAGE. THIS SCENE IS SOFTLY UNDERSCORED. THROUGH OUT THIS SCENE THEY GET CLOSER AND CLOSER. ADRIANA I have lived in Rogers Park basically all of my life. I came to the United States from Mexico when I was three. I’m seventeen now. MILT R I came to this country from Puerto Rico when I was twelve. It was tough. ADRIANA I don’t remember much. MILT R I knew very little English. ADRIANA Except it was scary. MILT R I was afraid to talk to other kids. ADRIANA My mother came to Chicago first and left me in Mexico with my sister, who was eighteen. So when I came here I missed her. There are ten children in my family, I am the youngest. MILT R My parents started having problems soon after they got here and my dad left. ADRIANA My father drinks; he takes all the money. He would hit my mom. In my family, the man is God. We have to respect him no matter what. MILT R Now my mom had five kids, by herself, no job. ADRIANA I did try to call the cops once but all of my family got mad at me. I was twelve. I try to do some good; but I end up looking bad to them. They say I am the one causing the problem. MILT R My older sister and I took care of the smaller children. It was rough, but we did it. ADRIANNA So after that, I kept quiet. MILT R At 18 I got a job at Northern Trust bank, through the Jobs for Youth program. ADRIANNA I started working full time when I was fourteen, at a McDonald’s. MILT R At first I felt uncomfortable, but I forced myself to fit in. ADRIANNA I got home from work at one in the morning. MILT R Later I worked nights at the bank doing security so I could attend college during the day. ADRIANNA Before I worked got A’s and B’s, afterward I got C’s and D’s. MILT R When I graduated I was promoted to fraud investigator. ADRIANNA I am graduating this year, but because I am not a natural citizen, I can’t go to college. What is the point of telling us to graduate when we can't do anything when we do? I looked at a college application and you need an alien card or a social security number in order to apply. What’s up with that? We’re not terrorists. MILT R I see myself in her shoes. ADRIANNA We’re dreamers and goal seekers. We work hard for what we have. MILT R She’s struggling, like I did. Trying to get decent grades while dealing with the streets. Not getting all the help they need at home. THEY FINALLY COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER ADRIANA I feel like I am stuck in a bubble and there is nothing I can do about it. MILT R Just hang in there. ADRIANA There must be a good side to all this. MILT R Sometimes you have to look hard for the good. SHE THINKS ADRIANA Being in this situation has helped me figure out what is right and what is wrong. MILT R It is not a small thing, knowing right from wrong. What we’ve been through. ADRIANA We know things, other people don’t know. MILT R Yes, we do. ADRIANA Someday I want a job where I can help people. All my friends talk to me about their problems and I am good at giving advice. I can always find time to sit down with a person and help. MILT R For now, help yourself, before you go out and help other people. ADRIANNA If you don't mind me asking, why did you leave the bank? MILT R I wanted to see the other side of people. To break out and be on the streets. I figured if I didn’t like it, I can always get my old job back. ADRIANNA You’re different from other police. MILT R How’s that? ADRIANNA You can actually relate to us. MILT There’s a few good ones out there. Being the police, you see things that break your heart. And every so often you feel like you make a difference. One time my partner and I went to this house, there were six kids. There was no food or heat. My partner takes out his cell phone and orders a large pizza, with soda and gave it to the kids. He pays for it out of his own wallet. The way those kids were eating, like they were starving, it broke my heart. I learned a lot from him. Among those who are bad, you have those that are extremely good. END SCENE POLICE CAST BIOS FOR US OR THEM SGT. STACY KRAFT is a patrol sergeant assigned to the 009th District Deering (South Side). She has been involved with PTL since 1999. Stacy recently received her BA in Criminal Justice and hopes to attend law school. P.O. TOM MCNAMARA is with the 24th District Rogers Park. He has been with PTL since 2000 and performed in OUT OF THE BLUE, as well as other improv shows at Live Bait. Tom has studied improv at Second City and Improv Olympic, and comedy styles at Victory Gardens. Tom has worked with teens in Rogers Park for the last two years. P.O. TIM O’BRIEN is part of the 11th District Fillmore. He has been with PTL since February 2001. He is a member of the Emerald Society Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Police Department. He has acted at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, Medieval Times, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. P.O. MILTON ROBLES is part of the 13th District Wood Street. He has been with PTL since the beginning of the program. He is a member of the Chicago Police Judo Club. He is also a certified firearms instructor. He also likes to scuba dive and skydive. COMMANDER GEORGE ROSEBROCK is a 24-year veteran of the CPD and currently Commander of the Department’s Management and Labor Affairs Section. He’s a lifelong Chicagoan, born and raised in this neighborhood. He has been with PTL since September 2002. He’s also an avid golfer, listener to old time radio shows, and collector of all things Riverview. P.O. MILTON SCOTT is currently assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Section. He has been part of PTL since 2000 and performed in PTL's two previous improv shows. In his free time, he's an aspiring musician and enjoys family and friends. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS made this project possible. Our Police-Teen Link colleagues include P.O. PETE CALANDRA, FTO MARK BRATTON, P.O. JOE COX, DET. HARRY STRONG, & JAMELLE WARD, & ELISHIA MCKISSICK. SHARON EVANS, (Adapter of US OR THEM ) is Artistic Director and Program Director of Police Teen Link. She founded Live Bait Theater in 1987 with her husband John Ragir. Her plays include Candyland, The Hypochondriac, Portrait of a Shiksa, GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!! LIVE ON STAGE, TOTALLY RUDE!, Freud, Dora and the Wolfman, Starving Artists, The Tall Ships and mostly recently, Blind Tasting. She has taught at Chicago Dramatists and has guest-lectured at the School of the Art Institute, Loyola University, and Columbia College. Three of her plays have been awarded developmental support from the National Endowment for the Arts. She oversees Police-Teen Link, a four-year-old program that brings together Chicago police officers with local youth through improvisation classes and teaches creative writing to police officers, which was featured on WTTW’s ArtBeat, CNN, and in USA Today. She holds a degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has been a writer-resident at the Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest, Illinois. Her play The Tall Ships, which opened at Live Bait in September 1999, was cited first runner-up for the American Theater Critics Association Osborn Award for new work. Her play, Blind Tasting, opened in May 2003 and enjoyed a successful six month run at Live Bait Theater, and was cited in several Best of 2003 lists. She recently adapted US or THEM from writings and improvisations from the Police-Teen Link Ensemble. She is currently working a stage adaptation of the book HEATWAVE by ANN FILMER (Director of US OR THEM) is a director and choreographer living and working in Chicago, whose passion lies in directing and developing new work. Recent directing projects include Soft Target by Tom Patrick for Chicago Dramatists, Eric La Rue by Brett Neveau for A Red Orchid, and Estrogen Fest. Ms. Filmer is the Managing Director of Chicago Dramatists where she won an After Dark Award for her direction of John Green’s The Liquid Moon. This is her first project with Live Bait.