San Bernardino Valley College students shared a message of hope for National Recovery Month. Students from the Theater Arts, Human Services, and Film, TV, and Media (FTVM) departments came together to write a play exploring the cycle of addiction titled What About Tomorrow? which was streamed on SBVC's YouTube channel. 
 
All of the rehearsals and filming were done remotely. "Though the class began a little over a month ago, the students have quickly developed into a supportive and productive ensemble," Theater Arts professor Melinda Fogle said. "Several cast and crew members have a personal connection with the topic, and they have been generously sharing their knowledge and experience. I am very proud of the creativity and artistry the students have put into the project." 
 
This is the second year in a row SBVC has partnered with the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) to present a play for National Recovery Month. In 2019, SBVC students performed Finding Our Way, a play about addiction and recovery written by inmates at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. The evening also included a presentation on healthy alternatives to drugs and alcohol and a Q&A session with experts from the DBH. 
 
"It was the most meaningful and impactful Q&A I have ever experienced," Fogle said. "The audience and panel members opened up about their personal experiences and began discussions that continued long after the event. SBVC Theater Arts was honored to be invited to participate in the event again this year." 
 
There were 16 students who worked on What About Tomorrow? As a devised piece, the ensemble "began with a topic or theme, out of which the show develops," Fogle said. "In this case, the DBH asked that we focus on addiction and recovery, and the students took it from there. The students spent hours upon hours brainstorming, improving, sharing personal stories, writing, re-writing, and filming. What About Tomorrow? has developed from these creative sessions." 
 
In addition to the staging of What About Tomorrow? the online event included interviews with people about recovery filmed by Film, TV, and Media students. "The issues of addiction and recovery are particularly relevant in current times, and we are happy to help bring awareness and understanding through performance," Fogle said.