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Throughout the Great Lakes region, scientists have begun to understand the amount and types of marine debris in the Great Lakes basin and to create solutions that will address its impacts on the environment. However, education and public outreach about marine debris are essential for meaningful, long-term prevention.
Who Was Involved?
Taking a creative approach for marine debris education is critical to ensure impactful change. With the support of the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Wisconsin Sea Grant and American Players Theatre incorporated creativity into their marine debris education and outreach efforts by authoring a play about marine debris! The partners used the power of storytelling and performance to engage, educate, and inspire performing artists, students, and community members to be committed stewards of the Great Lakes.
What Action Was Taken?
The rhyming script was written by David Daniel of American Players Theatre. Designed for both formal and informal educational settings, the play features two main characters, typically cast to adults or advanced readers, and features four supporting roles, typically performed by audience members. The half-hour whimsical play heavily incorporates audience participation through discussion of the 8Rs (rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, refurbish, repair, and recycle). The play was designed for fifth grade students; however, audiences of all ages will appreciate the central message, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me!”
“Me and Debry” debuted in October 2022 in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. This world premiere was followed by a performance at the Gilmore Fine Arts School in Racine, Wisconsin.
What Was Learned?
Beyond the development of the original theatrical performance script and performances about marine debris science and action, the larger “The Play’s the Thing” grant project included on-site cleanup events and stewardship activities related to the prevention of land-based marine debris and prevention of microplastics in wastewater.
Learn More!
To facilitate future performances, Wisconsin Sea Grant has published the full script, prop list, audience participation materials, and additional resources on its Me and Debry website. Most materials are available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Adult Wisconsin residents can also reach out to Wisconsin Sea Grant to borrow a Me and Debry educational kit from the Wisconsin Water Library for free!
