FIRE...where there's smoke - Canada

Developed as a follow-up to three years of workshops with 400 15-18 year olds, the performance included video projected on large screens, rock music, dance, and text. Nine young professional performers communicated not through narrative means but, rather, by living through a series of "events".

The 70-minute-long performance was followed by a 20-minute "talkback" session involving the audience and cast with professional counsellors on hand in case additional support was needed. In addition, audience members were provided with print support materials that included a wallet-sized resource card that listed organisations offering a range of critical services to youth, and a 24-page legal education/ violence prevention brochure. A Teacher's Guide was also provided. Suitable for youth in grades 9-12, this guide includes talking points/questions based on the performance, activities designed to inspire youth collaboration, and strategies for conflict resolution to share with students.

A "FIRE…where there’s smoke" adaptation for television is currently in the works. An additional 8-part series of short video pieces is in development for use in schools.

FIRE sold out its first 44-show run in October - November 2001 (the first Vancouver run sold out in 24 hours). Letters from youth and adults who saw the production provide accounts of positive action resulting from the FIRE experience (e.g., new and meaningful conversations between youth and with parents and teachers; a school class organising themselves and apologising en masse to a victim of their bullying; youth becoming inspired to pursue live performance because of the show; youth returning several times, often bringing a parent with them; adults coming alone, then returning with a young person, and so on). A 48-page report on the FIRE project (1998-2003) which details these and other impacts was produced (please see contact details, below).