On April 17, the sixth episode of NBC’s new drama Rise airs as the drama department of Stanton High, led by Lou Mazzuchelli (Josh Radnor), hits another obstacle in its production of Spring Awakening.
The ten-episode series from Friday Night Lights and Parenthood creator Jason Katims follows the students of Stanton, Pennsylvania, and their families as a newly invigorated drama program threatens the conservative values of the industrial town down on its luck.
Read: HOW NBC’S RISE TAKES HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA KIDS SERIOUSLY
Similar to his Friday Night Lights, Katims packs a punch in each episode that brings forth the struggles of American families; this week, Lilette and her mom struggle to make ends meet and Lilette is forced to choose between being a kid in the high school musical and growing up quicker to help support her family. Watch the video above.
In previous episodes, NBC’s series has addressed issues of alcoholism, religion and sexuality, and more in the coming-of-age story about the power of theatre.