Dramatic presentation carries important message

Actor, comedian and educator John Morello will present "Dirt: A One Man Show of Substance Abuse and Choices" at 7 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the Crimson and Gold Ballroom in the Overman Student Center at Pittsburg State University. The performance is free and open to the public.

Morello has a bachelor's degree in theater arts and has been on the stage for 15 years. As a teacher in a treatment center for teens, Morello witnessed many students repeat the family cycles of self-neglect and self-abuse. That and his own teenage experience helped inspire Morello’s creation of his new show.

"Dirt," which is currently touring the nation, attempts to connect with students and their educators by depicting real characters, making real choices. Morello hopes his characters provide a mirror for the audience to see themselves and the choices they make on a daily basis.

The show uses comical, every-day circumstances to provide a serious message. Some of Morello's segments and characters include: A WWII veteran reflecting on his choices in battle and sacrifices for the present generation, a teenage girl who drinks socially, a poetry festival gone hilariously wrong, and "voices from the dirt" telling their struggles with being and loving an addict.

The one-hour show is designed to be appropriate for middle school through college students and for adults. The presentation of "Dirt" is co-sponsored by the Regional Prevention Center of Southeast Kansas and Gorillas In Your Midst, Pittsburg State University’s peer health education group.

For more information about John Morello and "Dirt," visit www.iamdirt.com.

For more information about the Oct. 10 presentation and peer health education at Pittsburg State University, contact J.T. Knoll at 620-235-4062, or by e-mail at jknoll@pittstate.edu.

---Pitt State---