Daily News Lesson

SHOW ALL

May 23, 2022, 11:39 a.m.

Students confront gun violence through one way they know how — theater

Summary

In 2021, more than 1,500 children and teenagers in the United States were killed by gunfire. Activists across the country are working to shed light on that issue through a series of plays written and performed by young adults, many of whom have had direct experience with gun violence. “ It's a part of life that you never want to face, but it's also one that you can't act as if it's not there. Ignorance isn't bliss when you're talking about this subject. Information, knowledge, that's the power,” said student actor Bryan Roberson Jr. Jeffrey Brown has the story for our arts and culture series, "CANVAS." For a transcript of the video, click here .

Five Facts

  • Who does gun violence affect on a daily basis?
  • What are those interviewed in this piece doing to confront the trauma of gun violence?
  • When and Where did the performances mentioned here take place?
  • Why is this topic so important to students?
  • How can students get their voices heard in other ways?

Focus Questions

If you were in control, how would you attempt to put a stop to gun violence? Media literacy: How else can media and art bring more attention to real world problems?

For More

See more from the performance in the video below:

Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning. Zachary Vogel, a senior at Alexandria City High School in Alexandria, Va., and a rising freshman at Ithaca College, wrote today’s Daily News Lesson with editing by Vic Pasquantonio.

Recent Daily News Lessons

survivorstories-e1790107633355-1

Daily News Lesson

Graphic novel shares stories of Hurricane Helene survivors

Learn about survivors and their experience with Hurricane Helene through a graphic novel

Ken Paxton James Talarico Texas primary

Daily News Lesson

Monitoring the Midterms: What's making the Texas Senate race so competitive

Data centers, gas prices and the economy are some of the issues on Texans' minds this election season

Screenshot 2026-09-21 at 10.52.03 AM

Daily News Lesson

Descendants of enslaved potter David Drake work to reclaim ancestor's art

"I think his story could be inspirational not just to African Americans, but to everybody. I think we all have felt voiceless at a point in time." – Yaba Baker, fourth great-grand child of potter David Drake

cuba

Daily News Lesson

Cuban official on Trump's threats as tensions with U.S. rise

Discuss the sanctions in Cuba and how poverty in the nation has worsened

SUPPORTED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:

PBS News Hour Classroom

Copyright © 2025 News Hour Production LLC. All Rights Reserved

Illustrations by Annamaria Ward