In January 2007, seven teens, all who've lost a parent or sibling to death, meet at The Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon, to share experiences of grief. They form a theater troupe, calling themselves “The Scarlet D’s.” They have four months to prepare an original production about their personal experiences, which they call “The Grief Trip.” Their process and performance was made into this film.

The theater troupe provides the teens with an opportunity to transform their grief into something positive by offering insight, hope, and validation to other grieving youths and the adults who support them.

Many of the teens were understandably shy and less than outgoing when they first met, yet it did not take long for them to show their true colors. They came together and supported each other as they each took risks in sharing themselves through games, story, dance, song, and poetry. Their commitment was certainly apparent at the performance. They took the stage poised with courageousness, mindfulness, and gusto. The honesty, strength, and vulnerability of the teens prompted a standing ovation from the audience and a theater full of deeply moved teens and adults.

The teens do not downplay what was or is hard, and they also celebrate what they learn about themselves in this journey. In doing so, they affirm the healing power of shared story in a supportive community. They remind us that there’s no right way to grieve and that we need to respect each individual’s path.