Dream Weavers

When we visit the set, there’s only one week left before the hip-hop musical Living the Dream is scheduled to begin, and director Natasha Brown’s cast of young actors is full of energy. Maybe too much energy.

Between takes of a lengthy dance routine, the performers (ages 14 to 22) are still bouncing off the walls exuberantly. The matronly director tries to calm them, clapping her hands and yelling, “This is the 11th hour, people!” Seeing that her command over the young troupe is slipping through her fingers, Brown furrows her brow. “They can’t have pop before rehearsal anymore,” she quietly dictates to her assistant director.

To put on this three-act musical about young people making a difference in their communities, the cast of 20 aspiring writers, dancers, actors, teachers and musicians comes together for at least 15 hours a week — with only 3 weeks total to get it done. Even without the sugar rush, though, these young men and women seem to draw from a bottomless well of enthusiasm. Many of them affectionately refer to Brown as “Mom,” and all of them know her from her previous volunteer efforts: working on various HIV-AIDS advocacy projects, helping with the TeensTip hotline, reading to senior citizens, putting on Rock the Vote and spearheading city cleanup projects.

During this particular rehearsal, Brown isn’t exactly happy with the group’s unfocused vigor, but she’s always pleased when the same energy isn’t being applied to gangs, drugs or sex.

“I’m always in awe of the [kids’] dedication,” she says. She interrupts herself to shout “Five — six — seven — eight!” to help keep the dancers on track. “They’re always giving back and empowering other young people so they can make a difference,” she continues. “It’s amazing how they come together to make it happen.”

The kids still have a few wrinkles to iron out and some lines to memorize, but that shouldn’t be too hard. The message of the play is something they already know by heart.