Editor’s note: Reader discretion is advised as the content in the article addresses sensitive topics including suicide.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – For years, a local theatrical foundation has offered local children the opportunity to perform monologues inspired by real-life case scenarios, in hopes of getting them and others to make better decisions.
Toe Tag Monologues is a Vision Theatrical Foundation production and its founder and former police officer Byron Stringer said you don’t believe it until it happens to you. Something Stringer said he learned throughout his years of service and working with children.
A stern message from a 10-year-old.
“Don’t try to kill yourself,” Tahiry Coleman said. “There’s a whole bunch to live for.”
For sure, Coleman doesn’t want others to live in silence.
“If somebody is sad, I can make them happy,” she said.
It helps her feel happy as well.
“It’s been better the more I’ve been doing toe tag, she added. “When I look down at my hands, my hands are actually shaking.”
It’s topics that could shake anyone up like teen suicide, bullying, and school violence. Not a dry eye in the audience ever during performances. The ending to the monologues is a body bag placed with a toe tag.
“Let’s give a damn about the person next to us,” Stringer said.
He is the person behind the production. He said the toe tag is not just for people who have died.
“Everybody got issues, everybody got drama, most of us have overcome it,” he shared. “Some of us haven’t. He said the series of monologues could be the answer. The hope is that it guides children to make better choices. “
“I love performing for teachers because when we do that, we are helping teachers understand the back story when these kids show up to school,” Stringer added.
The program has been a partner with the Clark County School District since 2010. Stringer also said it’s about being there for everyone, even when it’s unexpected.
“So, I am driving by going up Lake Mead and 95 going eastbound over Lake Mead and I look over to the right and there’s a young man sitting there looking out at traffic,” Stringer shared his own experience.
Traffic, he said, wouldn’t stop at the time.
“He [unidentified person] was standing up holding on to the chain-link fence,” he continued.
Nevada State Highway confirmed with 8 News Now that on September 25, troopers were called to help a person who was climbing along the outer barrier fence on the 95 and Lake Mead overpass.
Stringer shared the message in hopes it reaches others who are struggling or feel alone.
“I was trying to get him to understand that there’s better that you can live that you don’t have to let go. There’s too many people there’s probably people watching this right now who think I could just let go because there’s nothing worth living for! You have so much to live for!” he added.
He said it’s still a very emotional moment for him. He hasn’t been able to see the person he helped after that day.
As for the interactive theatrical program, several workshops are offered for students interested in joining.
For more information on Vision Theatrical Foundation’s Toe Tag Monologues click HERE.
If someone is experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm or knows someone who is, contact the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 9-8-8.
