Click on the year links below to view the programs for that year.
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007
Antigua, West Indies
Summer 1996
Sponsor: Antigua Ministry of Education
HITT traveled to Antigua to work with teen peer counselors in a two-week intensive workshop addressing the issues of drug and substance abuse, teen pregnancy, HIV and AIDS. After 10 days together, the HITT leaders and teens identified a common goal…to educate teens throughout Antigua, about obstacles that keep them from accomplishing their dreams and reaching their true potential. The workshop culminated in a teen created presentation for the Ministry of Education and their families and friends that was truly inspiring but more importantly the process had empowered the teens to become role models for their friends and to challenge themselves to accomplish their life goals. Return to top
Barbuda, West Indies
Summer 1997
Sponsor: Barbuda Ministry of Education
HITT leaders and 37 Barbuda teens spent two weeks together exploring the topic of drug and alcohol prevention, teen pregnancy and HIV prevention. The teens learned how to use theatre to get their voices heard about the important issues they face every day. A performance for family and friends at the end of the two weeks enabled the youth to show off their newly acquired performance skills and spread their important prevention messages. Return to top
Summer 1998
Sponsor: Barbuda Ministry of Education
Back for a second year in Barbuda, the HITT team met with 30 energetic and enthusiastic teens ranging in age from 12-18. The main focus this year was training the teens to be Peer Educators so that they along with a core teacher from the island could continue prevention work in HITT’s absence. In the HITT tradition, this two week workshop concluded with a closing ceremony. Parents, friends, siblings, elected officials and peer educators warmed up, played theatre games, and broke the barrier of silence that keeps adults and youth from talking to each other about tough issues like drug abuse and teen pregnancy. Return to top
St. Lucia, West Indies
Spring, 1999
Sponsor: St. Lucia Police Department and St. Lucia Rotary Club
One hundred teens and two HITT leaders in a gymnasium made for high energy, high volume theatrics and learning. Through team work exercises, prevention games and theatre techniques, the teens came together to produce an exciting and thoughtful performance for an auditorium full to capacity of family, friends and dignitaries. After a week spent together, the teens realized the power they have to make a differencen their community. Return to top
Grenada, West Indies
Summer 2000
Sponsor: Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education – Drug Avoidance Secretariat
Thirty youths from schools throughout Grenada came together with the HITT team for a week-long educational and entertaining drug prevention camp. The youths played games, shared personal experiences and created dramatic scene work aimed at encouraging youth to lead a drug free lifestyle. The youths’ final presentation contained a strong, clear message to the parents, teachers and political leaders in the audience…the need for community activities and places to go that would provide an alternative to parties, where drinking and drugs are popular and available. The local television and newspaper were present at the event broadcasting the youth’s important message throughout Grenada. Return to top
Summer 2001
Sponsor: Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education – Drug Avoidance Secretariat
Once again, the HITT team was off to beautiful, tropical Grenada to work with youth leaders from the entire island. The HITT team was pleased to share this one week session with youth and adult leaders from the Tallahassee PRIDE program. The HITT team focused on empowering youth to use drama to encourage pregnancy and STI prevention while the PRIDE team used dance as their vehicle to challenge teens to become leaders in their communities. The youth came together at the end of the week for a high energy performance that included dramatic and humorous scene work, dancing, and singing.
Jamaica (click for session photos)
Summer 2001
Sponsor: Ministry of Education
The HITT team traveled to St. Ann’s Bay on July 6th to teach at the Windsor Girls’ Home. The Windsor residents were a group of 13-18 year old girls who spent two weeks with the HITT leaders talking and sharing experiences about sex, drugs, peer pressure, relationships, and families. The girls talked about their lives, goals and dreams. On the final day, the girls performed wonderful theatre that came from their hearts. They opened up and shared their lives with the HITT leaders and their audience. By the end of the performance, there wasn’t a dry eye in the entire room. Return to top
Aruba, West Indies
Winter, 2002
Sponsor: Ministry of Social Affairs and Infrastructure
HITT’s pilot intervention program was introduced in Aruba with students selected from areas throughout the island. After a week filled with games, drama and important prevention information, the students presented three performances to over 250 students, teachers and representatives from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Infrastructure and the media. The Minister presented awards and addressed audiences at the presentation sighting the importance of programs like HITT in changing the lives of young people in Aruba. Return to top
Dominica
Summmer 2003
Sponsor: Planned Parenthood Association of Dominica
In August 2003, HITT traveled to Dominica to introduce the students in the Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM) to our Improvisational Teen Theatre Program. Dominica’s Planned Parenthood Association requested that Florida Volunteers for Caribbean Action (FAVACA) send our HITT team to work with the youth in their annual camp and to introduce them to the theatre and prevention techniques. Students came from cities throughout the island. When the HITT leaders arrived at Delices Youth Center for the camp, they were greeted by 34 bright energetic students ready to take on whatever challenges were presented. The goal was to train student leaders to act as peer educators providing creative ways of addressing drug and substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy, AIDS, sexual abuse, violence, and peer pressure. HITT introduced students to theatrical techniques to explore the most critical issues that affected them so that they could make informed decisions. They also worked on communication, team work, and conflict-resolution. Although some students were shy or intimidated by theatre and acting at first, by the end of our time together, they had forgotten their inhibitions. They shared their lives, dreams and stories with us. They shared the folktales of their island and adapted them into issue related stories. The students lead the final performance/ workshop like champs! They were confident, open and extremely entertaining. Return to top
Nevis
Summmer 2005, 2006, 2007
Sponsor: the Florida International Volunteer Corps (FAVACA) and the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs International Cultural Exchange programs
In May of 2007, two members of the HITT team traveled to Nevis, after being invited for the third year, and began working with 30 Nevisian youth teaching HIV/AIDS education, basic theatre techniques, and improv. The students came from every town on the island. The program provided the students safe sex information, and tools to use this information. This year the students had the opportunity to have someone that is currently living with HIV come and talk to them. Based on the information and their experiences throughout the week, the students worked to create original scenes addressing the issues of HIV/AIDS. The program culminated with a performance for local officials, parents and community members. One student wrote poems on the subject and one read a passage that he wrote. All of these elements combined created an outstanding performance.
In April of 2005, three members of the HITT team began working with 47 Nevisian youth teaching HIV/AIDS education, basic theatre techniques, and improv. The program also provided the students safe sex information, discussions about healthy relationships and how they can better utilize their local resources. The program culminated with a performance for local officials, parents and community members. The students worked to create, rehearse and perform scenes addressing the critical issues of HIV/AIDS, safe sex, abstinence and healthy relationships. In addition, two students sang the Nevis national anthem, several more performed a dance number and one student wrote an original song about the effects of HIV/AIDS. All of these elements created an outstanding performance.
Nevis was challenging, rewarding, and inspiring. It is experiences like this, which truly shows how important theatre arts are in the growth and education of our youth. HITT has been widely recognized as one of the most effective arts-based prevention/intervention programs in the country. Return to top