A spotlight hits the stage illuminating two beach chairs.

The scene has now been set and two students come on stage to perform their piece before an audience of their peers.

But this isn̢۪t your typical Fresno State drama class.

This class, Creative Drama, is designed to touch and change lives.

Creative Drama is part of a partnership program between McLane High School and Fresno State called Turning Points Academy (TPA).

Turning Points works in collaboration with Fresno State to provide a unique and inspirational experience for both Fresno State students and McLane High sophomores.

Chanthorn Chap, a Fresno State senior communications major, is a former graduate of Turning Points. He was so inspired by his experience with the academy that he came back this semester as a teacher/facilitator in the drama class.

“TPA was a great head-start,� Chap said. “It really motivated me and makes you mature, I wanted to come back as a college student because I wanted to make that same impact on someone else.�

Chap said being a part of Turning Points inspired him to go to college.

“TPA helped me break out of my shell and build a bridge, a connection to the university,� Chap said. “All the amazing student interaction within the program, made life not so intimidating and college not such a huge adjustment.�

Creative Drama gives Fresno State students the chance to work closely with McLane students as volunteer teachers and facilitators.

Linda Dryden, the new facilitator and teacher of the course, said the college students go through a few weeks of training before they began working with the high school students. Once the college students know some theatre arts basics, they help the high school students write, stage and perform scenes in various formats.

“The students create and perform monologues, dialogues and scenes,� Dryden said. “It is here where that creativity and that personal connection bloom.�

Sky Sweet, a Turning Points English teacher, said the program targets the middle student — the student often left adrift, who do well enough to pass and are assumed to be fine and therefore receive the least attention.

“TPA offers a unique experience to students,� Sweet said. “It allows the opportunity for them to connect and grow and to motivate them to succeed.�

Turning Points was established by Principal Frank Silvestro at McLane High. The program selects 150 McLane sophomores, based on attendance, teacher references and some sophomores who personally volunteer to take part in the program.

These sophomores spend the first half of their school year preparing by learning about the Fresno State campus and selecting classes. They learn about financial aid, housing and other aspects of college life.

The second half of the year, the sophomores come to Fresno State and take classes, including English, math, biology, world history and a specially designed drama class.

The drama class is one of the most popular aspects of the Turning Points program, not only for the McLane High sophomores but for Fresno State students as well.

Roxanna Garcia, a McLane High sophomore and current Turning Points participant, said the program is great for students who need to bond and not feel so isolated.

“It builds confidence, and opens us up more,� Garcia said.

Dawn Martinez, a Fresno State liberal studies major and a teacher/facilitator for Turning Points, said the benefits of the academy for its student participants are priceless.

“I can touch students’ lives and give them hopes and dreams,� Martinez said. “If everyone could have an
experience like this, I feel the world could be a much better place.�