Harold Valentin, The Tampa Tribune
April 30, 2008

FOREST HILLS - Not only is lack of sex education a problem for high school students in Hillsborough County, said members of Teen Source Theatre, but also misinformation.

Source teens say a few popular myths include: Only gay people can get AIDS; pregnancy can be prevented if sex occurs in a swimming pool; and condoms don't work.

Blake High School junior Emily Compton, a three-year Source member, said staff at her school do not talk about the merits of condom use, only the contraceptive's failure rate.

"I've heard kids say, 'If condoms don't work that well, then I just won't use them,'" Compton said.

Teen Source Theatre, 1005 W. Busch Blvd., is a Planned Parenthood-sponsored program in which teenage members write and perform morality plays on teen issues such as sex, drugs and bullying. In Tampa, the program is in its ninth year.

Theater director Bonnie Amson said when some people hear Planned Parenthood, they think of abortion.

"A lot of people don't understand what Planned Parenthood does," said Amson, a former teacher from Canada with a master's degree in theater. "Most of what we do is education. We're really about prevention."

Amson said there are about 25 "very active" members with Source, which attracts students who already are doing well in school. She said three of the top four candidates for this year's valedictorian at Blake attend the theater's meetings, held 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the Forest Hills office.

She said some members attend the educational meetings "just for fun" and do not participate in plays.

Though Source may not always attract those who need the most help, Amson said those who do attend help teach other students at their schools.

Victoria Woodard, a Blake senior, said it is not only students who spread misinformation.

"If I hear bad information, I'm not afraid to kindly correct people," Woodard said. "I'm not afraid to correct teachers."

Amson said most members are from Blake - which has an arts program - because the program is based on writing and performance. But she said all teens are welcome, and many join because their friends are members or they saw a performance they liked.

She said the involvement leaves a lasting impression.

"It's one thing to be told, 'Don't do it because it could get you pregnant,' " Amson said. "But when you play the part of that pregnant teen, you really have to get into the character."

Amson said Sarasota is the only other city with the program, which has been around for more than 20 years. She said Sarasota's Source is bigger, with more performances in schools.

Amson said Source is authorized to perform in Hillsborough's school district, but school performances are rare in the county. She said her teens perform twice a month at venues such as churches, recreation centers, youth detention centers, "anywhere and everywhere we can go."

After performances, youths are given feedback forms, and members "try to draw audiences out with questions," said Amber Savoie, a Blake senior who hopes to be a teacher someday.

With most members in their senior year, Amson said she is looking for more members. Some will come from Planned Parenthood's Source Kids In Training program, or SKIT, for middle school students.

When Source members are not preparing for a performance, they often perform exercises such as "the human knot," in which members hold hands in a circle and try to untangle themselves. Amson said the exercise works to disarm shyness from new members and requires teamwork.

Amson said the teens also meet during summer. When she left for a monthlong vacation last summer, she said bonds between the teens were so strong that they met during afternoons without her.

Amson said she likes her job because of the teens.

"I'm excited for what they're heading out to, even though there are a lot of challenges out there," Amson said. "I just feel they're going to do some good things."

SOURCE TEEN THEATRE

PURPOSE: Sponsored by Planned Parenthood, the program is designed to educate teens on issues including sex, drugs and bullying. Members write and perform plays for groups of youths and often talk to classmates in informal settings.

WHERE: 1005 W. Busch Blvd.

WHEN: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays

CONTACT: (813) 930-9476 or www.thesourceteen theatre.org