High school play captures challenges of teenage years

Kemisha Ebron explores the daily issues that plague many adults and teenagers in her play, "Thank God Somebody Prayed for Me."

"I had the vision of writing a play that will bless people's lives with the situations that are going on in the world today," said Ebron, a writer who lives in Charlotte.

Ebron, who works as a mail carrier, has been writing since 2004. Her five books are available on www.amazon.com.

"Thank God Somebody Prayed for Me" is her first play, and it includes original songs and poems.

The play will premiere March 4 at Northwest School of the Arts.

With the help of her daughter, Kiana Harris, who is 16, Ebron explored issues such as peer pressure, Facebook and single parenthood. The story centers around Ashley, a teenager who longs for attention from her single, working mom. Ashley resents her responsibilities at home and longs to spend more time with her friends.

Ashley's quest for attention turns dangerous, and her friends and family pray for her as she struggles.

Harris, a former student at NSA who now attends West Mecklenburg High, wrote dialog for scenarios Ebron created.

"That's something I enjoy doing, and I wanted to share a project with her," Ebron said.

The 15-member cast, which includes CMS students and adults, have been rehearsing twice a week for six weeks. Many of them wrote songs and poems they will perform or read.

To elicit the original works, Ebron asked cast members what they could do for a friend or family member who was "on the edge" without physically touching them.

Their answers are woven into the play in response to characters' struggles.

"It allowed (cast members) to share their gifts and talents with other friends and family members," Ebron said.

She said she hopes audience members going through similar situations might relate to the issues and dialog in the play.

"Sometimes, when people are going through stuff they think they're alone, but they're not," Ebron said. "It gives them a sense of hope to hold on and have more faith and work through their problems."

The play ends with a positive message.

"It shows people how no matter what you're going through, there's always somebody praying for you," Ebron said.

The play takes place at 6 p.m. March 4 at Northwest School of the Arts. Details: www.eventbrite.com.