"Always You Can Talk to Us": A Reader's Theatre Script

Sophia Van; Sarah-Mei Chen; Jayden Ing-Nikkel; Peter Qu; Wenney Szeto; Megan Wong

doi:10.25071/1929-8471.170

Authors

Sophia Van Department of Social Science, York University
Sarah-Mei Chen Department of Psychological and Health Sciences, University of Toronto
Jayden Ing-Nikkel Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Peter Qu Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York University
Wenney Szeto Faculty of Arts and Sciences, University of Toronto
Megan Wong Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, York University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25071/1929-8471.170

Abstract

This paper presents a Reader's Theatre Script co-produced by six Chinese-Canadian youths that highlights some of the challenges faced by Chinese-Canadian students during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also includes the participants' individual reflections on the scripting process and how it helped them make sense of both their personal and shared experiences. The script explores themes such as the stigma surrounding mental health in Asian communities, intergenerational trauma, cultural and generational differences between parent and child, and the model minority myth.

Key words: Readers Theatre, youth, identity, arts-based research, mental health stigma, intergenerational trauma, model minority myth.