The First Semester
THE FIRST SEMESTER addresses many of the problems faced by students on today’s university campuses. Those problems include peer pressure, substance, STIs, date rape, gay bashing, cheating and plagiarism, time management, suicide, bullying, weapons on campus, and the list goes on. THE FIRST SEMESTER brings to the forefront the choices, decisions, and consequences we face.
by: REV. LANCE EDMOND BROWN, Playwright
Revised 1999
SYNOPSIS
THE FIRST SEMESTER tells the story of five students enrolled at a majority state university, also known as a PWI.
Freshman CARLA is a young lady from the country struggling to adjust to big campus and city life. She is the first in her family to attend college. HERMAN, an academic nerd and social reject, comes from a highly educated, influential, and bi-racial family. He has set his sights on pledging the most popular African American fraternity on campus. DONNIE is a young man who scored low on his SAT, but because of Affirmative Action, he has been admitted to the university. He is also dealing with personal identity issues. JENNY is the beautiful, streetwise junior with several skeletons in her closet. HAKEEM, a career student, is an out-of-control, bullying, manipulative “wanna be” militant
THE FIRST SEMESTER addresses many of the problems faced by students on today’s university campuses, which include peer pressure, drug abuse, binge drinking and DWI’s, sexually transmitted diseases, date rape, gay bashing, cheating/plagiarism, time management, suicide, bullying, weapons on campus, and the list goes on.
This multi-talented ensemble of actors and actresses shows the struggles and emotions experienced by students at this major university.
THE FIRST SEMESTER will touch your heart and have you laughing and crying, wondering if the choices and the resulting consequences made by these five students will be decisions they can live with.
THE FIRST SEMESTER is a powerful “must-see” production, especially for those preparing to attend college and those currently enrolled. THE FIRST SEMESTER brings to the forefront choices, decisions, and consequences we face.
THE FIRST SEMESTER is an excellent production to be presented year-round, especially during Freshman Orientation or as part of the university’s Lyceum series.
THE FIRST SEMESTER (1999) is the third production written and produced by Dr. Lance E. Brown. His other productions are ONE CHILD’S PRAYER (1984), I’M SAVED (1994), SUNSET HIGH (2006), and LOVE DOESN'T HAVE TO HURT (2007). His most recent play is CIRCLE OF LOVE (2013)
Audio Recording
We have prepared a recording of the information above for your edification. Please enjoy our production description:
40+
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
From The Audience
The workshop proved to be extremely beneficial. I endorse Lance Brown and Public Awareness Theater, Inc., and I highly recommend his dramatic workshop and plays to my friends, colleagues, and business associates.
Public Awareness Theater came to our Job Corps Center to present the play Sunset High. The play dealt with issues our youth deal with on a daily basis. Our students really enjoyed the performance.
To our great joy, Sunset High exceeded our expectations The play was timely, engaging, and for some, I am sure, even a life-changing experience. I thank you for bringing the production to the Saginaw community.
The First Semester made a great impact on our students’ first impression of university life. The play was both entertaining-we laughed, and educational-we learned. I look forward to working with you in the future.
I was so impressed with your troupe’s presentation of Sunset High, and their ability to tackle so many issues in one play. Thank you for educating our students.
The First Semester captured our student’s attention and kept them engaged. The play was informative and inspiring to the students. You continuously motivate our students and make them excited about their first semester on our campus.
On behalf of the TCU Office of Intercultural Education and Services, I thank you for coming to TCU and performing I’m Saved. The production was outstanding and exceeded our expectations.
The students and faculty at Shivers Junior High and Aberdeen High School really enjoyed the play Sunset High, performed by Public Awareness Theater. It provided our student the opportunity to view social and cultural kills of our society in a dramatic way.
The students spoke very highly of your play The First Semester. They benefited enormously from the service that Public Awareness Theatre has provided.