YouthAware Programs
By Patricia Loughrey
Study Materials
Educating teens about HIV and AIDS since 1986, The Inner Circle by Patricia Loughry is a play that tells the story of four friends whose lives are changed when one of them contracts the HIV virus. It is a production of the award-winning New Conservatory Theatre Center’s YouthAware Educational Theatre program based in San Francisco. The play is updated yearly to reflect the latest trends and information about the AIDS epidemic, and it helps to correct any misconceptions that teens may have about HIV or how it is spread. The Inner Circle gives young people the information they need to make the right choices in order to protect themselves, and lead safer and healthier lives. The following questions, resources and activities are provided for you to continue discussion about The Inner Circle with your students in the classroom following today’s program.
Pre-Show Facts and Questions about HIV and AIDS
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More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981. (Source: AVERT)
- Young people (under age 25) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide - that means half of the 6,800 people infected each day. (Sources: AVERT, United Nations Population Fund)
- Because of advances in HIV medications, people with AIDS are surviving longer but they are also contributing to a steady increase in the number of people living with AIDS. This trend will continue as long as the number of new diagnoses exceeds the number of people dying each year.
- The area in Africa south of the Sahara desert, known as sub-Saharan Africa, is by far the worst-affected in the world by the AIDS epidemic. The region has just over 10% of the world's population, but is home to over 60% of all people living with HIV. (Source: AVERT)
- Do you think that young people today have become complacent about HIV and AIDS? Do you ever talk or think about it? Why or Why not? Are you and your peers taking the proper precautions to protect yourselves? What kind of steps are you taking?
Post-Show Questions
- What are some possible scenarios that could have happened if Sarah didn’t find out that she was HIV positive when she did?
- What else could Sarah have done (besides leave home), and where else could she have gone for support when she found out that she was HIV positive?
- Why did Kat decide to stand by Sarah, even after she found out that Sarah broke their abstinence pact AND messed around with Danny?
- Is abstinence still a realistic choice for young people today? Why or why not? Why is it a good choice?
- If you do choose to have sex, whose responsibility is it to provide protection? What else are you protecting both you and your partner from by using a latex condom?
- Why do you think that young people are becoming infected with HIV at such high rates?
- Why do you think the playwright chose to end the play play with Sarah alone at the water tower reunion?
Other Resources
You can also call the free California AIDS Hotline at 1-800-367-AIDS,
for questions about HIV and for information about where to get tested in your area.
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