Kansas City Focus

Sharon Liese - Creator/Executive Producer, High School Confidential

  A single mom of a 13 year old daughter began exploring the inescapable struggle young girls face as they forge identities while navigating the complexities, contradictions and pressure that develop during their formidable high school years. Liese gained unprecedented access to a 1200-student high school, in suburban Kansas, to chronicle the entire 4 year experiences of 12 diverse young women. The series features dramatic and intimate storylines that reveal universal themes of today's adolescent culture: self-image, sexuality, risk and experimentation, complex family dynamics, religion and even death.

High School Confidential, an honest and in-depth look into the lives of twelve adolescent girls, through their high school years. The 8 episode, one-hour weekly series offers insight into the eye opening journeys of these young women from freshman year through graduation day. High School Confidential was created and executive produced by Sharon Liese, produced by New Line Television and Herizon Productions and premiered on WE tv in March of 2008.

  Kim Martin, EVP and General Manager of WE tv: "The series is one of the most ground-breaking series ever created for a multi-generational TV audience. It appeals to teens, college students, single women and mothers and we are confident our audience will be in awe of the twelve journeys they are to witness. The reflection of these women is a micro-cosm of the issues that pervade communities across our country."

"The struggle to define 'self' is perhaps most apparent during the High School years. The girls profiled in our series, exemplify courage as they share their most intimate challenges. The series explores this beyond just teen angst," states Liese. "Throughout the series, the objective presentation reveals young adults with a certain amount of strength and maturity in their own right - perhaps more than we give them credit for as the situations they face are difficult, but they prove they are not beyond recovery."

"Sharon Liese's vision and dedication in following these young women over their four years of high school is astounding. It was an extraordinary experience collaborating with her and shaping these stories. The end result is a documentary series that is honest, riveting and real", said Sydney Levin, Vice President, Alternative Programming for New Line Television and Executive Producer of the series.

High School Confidential Case Study & Screening

Sharon and Sydney will discuss the creative and business processes of bringing High School Confidential to the small screen on Friday, April 18, 2008 at 4:00 pm during Jubilee 2008 at 4141 Pennsylvania in Westport. Following the discussion, two episodes will be screened at the Tivoli Cinemas (4050 Pennsylvania) at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at the door or online - go to schedule section of our site.