Act Risk No More’s Behind These Wallsat Fringe is Good Work by Good People

By Brian Gray

Act Risk No More is a non-profit organization started by Heidi Mendez Harrison that seeks to change the lives of at-risk youth trough theatre and poetry. Harrison meets many of these young artists while they are in juvenile detention. Many of the artists have grown up with an incredible amount of adversity, and through writing and performance, they strive to overcome these hardships. In previous years at the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival, I caught wind of their productions, but I hadn’t been able to attend. I had the great fortune this year of attending Behind These Walls, their 2018 production.

As with all productions at the Fringe Festival, I didn’t know what to expect. Upon my arrival, I was led into the space, and greeted by two young individuals, Moroni and Miranda. They sit in a circle of chairs in the stage area. Heidi, the leader of the production, prompts us to sit in the circle with the actors. From there, the production begins. Moroni and Miranda proceed to read original pieces about their young lives growing up in abusive households, confronting poverty, drug abuse, and physical abuse. Heidi reads the works of young writers who have been unable to attend this production. The audience was captivated as the three artists switched off reading their work in a cypher-style reading.

Being onstage with the artists really brought the audience face-to-face with the issues that these youth confront. While many writers may have difficulty confronting the issues touched on in this performance, these young writers confront these issues head on. The writing pulls no punches, and invites the audience to really walk in their shoes, arousing a deep sense of empathy for the artists. Sitting in the circle with Moroni and Miranda, the energy is palpable. Additionally, you visibly see the compassion and care that Heidi has for these young artists.

If you are seeking an intimate close up experience that will touch your heart, Act Risk No More’s production of Behind These Walls is your ticket at the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival. Additionally, the writers and performers will change through each performance, guaranteeing that each performance is unique.

Act Risk No More presents Behind These Walls by various writers
The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival, The Gateway Mall, 71 S Rio Grande Street SLC, UT 84101
August 4 1:30 PM, 9:00 PM, August 5 4:30 PM
The fee to get into the Festival is $5 and the show ticket is $10. All ticket sales go directly to artist.
Tickets can be found at http://www.greatsaltlakefringe.org/tickets/