A Ray of Hope: Ukrainian Teenagers Find Solace in Theater Amid Conflict

Amid the ongoing war and the aftermath of the pandemic, a summer acting class in Kyiv provides struggling teenagers a platform for healing and hope. With an original play, they navigate the challenges posed by the conflict, illustrating the resilience of youth in troubling times.

 

In a sunny corner of Kyiv, a summer acting course unfolds, aiming to uplift the spirits of local youth. The initiative, led by instructor Olesia Korzhenevska, draws students together after years of upheaval caused by the pandemic and Russia's ongoing war. Her vision was clear: to create a space for happy children who could freely dream and express themselves through the performing arts.

However, recruiting teenagers for the program proved challenging. Many young people in Ukraine had grown accustomed to isolation and anxiety, with the war quieting their laughter and dreams. These conditions were particularly hard on adolescents, leaving them withdrawn and struggling with their emotional health.

But hope arrived when a mother reached out to Ms. Korzhenevska about her son, Sasha Suchyk, a once-promising student now mired in despair. After suffering from clinical depression, Sasha had spent the previous year in a mental health facility, deterred by his experiences amid the conflict.

Sasha's return to the theater marked a significant turning point, not just for him, but for his peers, who too had been affected by ongoing turmoil. Through the creation and performance of an original play titled "It’s okay!", these teens began to share their struggles and connect with one another.

The stage transformed into a sanctuary—a place where laughter replaced silence and creativity conquered fear. In recounting their tales of hardship and resilience, the teenagers discovered that they were not alone in their battle against despair. Their art became a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward brighter days ahead, even amidst the shadows of war.