The Process

We asked students what their primary concerns were.

Here's what they said:

Teen Suicide

Gun Violence and School Shootings

Domestic Abuse

LGBTQ+ Youth Discrimination

Self Harm

Bullying

Isolation

The Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

Under the guidance of veteran actor John Walcutt, director of the Acting Conservatory at the Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana, a group of 35 high school students spent 2 summer workshops developing a new play that any high school in America could perform. 

The production, originally developed in partnership with Santa Ana College’s Theatre Arts Department, was derived from student improvisation and written by professional, award-winning playwright and professor William Mittler.

Erabus, referring to the complete personification of darkness,

The Fall of Sparrows, representing the fragility and unpredictability of life.

"Erabus confronts the reality of teen suicide and gun violence with poetic honesty. Watching it can open up conversations that can save lives"

-Sophia Okerlund, Orange County School of the Arts students involved in Erabus since 2022