You want them to talk?

The classroom full of 11- and 12-year-olds at the Westover Hills Community Center in Richmond have that down to a science.

They can chatter back and forth, cackle to themselves and holler so loud that it bounces off the walls. They can giggle, whisper and shout in a single breath. You want them to talk about the serious issues that affect them every day?

That's another story.

But when they do, watch out. One minute they're a mob of mischief, a herd of pigtail-pulling, pencil-chewing kids who consider bathroom humor high comedy.

The next they're tiny grown-ups in Mickey Mouse T-shirts talking about alcohol, drugs, rape, pregnancy and murder.

One Wednesday last month, the Westover Hills playground was full. Kids ran in circles in the hot summer sun. A purple ball skidded across the blacktop chased by a frantic boy in a blue shirt.

Inside the community center, 14 kids learned how to make a television show.

Conceived by producer Nyya Sistrun, "We Got Issues" is a public-access talk show created by (and geared to) local youths.

A one-time producer for Black Entertainment Television, the 27-year-old Sistrun was inspired to create "We Got Issues" after BET canceled "Teen Summit" in 2003.

"You see teens portrayed in such a negative light," said Sistrun, "I wanted to show they have brains. I wanted to provide a forum."

The result is a free-form call-in show that addresses some of the issues that make adolescence such a minefield.

So far, Sistrun's company, Link Media, has produced four episodes of "Issues" for teenagers. Sistrun thought a special "pre-teen" edition would make a great project for the city's summer day camp.

The Great Summer Escape is a nine-week program the city offers at 16 community centers and four public schools. For $100, kids ages 6 to 12 spend five days a week on various sports, field trips and arts and crafts.

"It's a huge program. Kids get to do all kinds of things," said Christy Everson, marketing and public relations specialist with Richmond's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.

Westover Hills was the only location to offer "Issues." Kids could sign up for the two-hour class held twice a week.

"My main focus is to utilize media to entertain and inform," said Sistrun.

Over six weeks, more than a dozen sixth- and seventh-graders were given the task of planning an hourlong talk show complete with on-air discussions, taped segments and special guests.

The grand finale will be a live taping tomorrow night at 6 on Comcast of Richmond Channel 95 (Community Access).

Sistrun's friend and colleague, Andrea Benjamin, acted as class facilitator. But more often, the calm woman with the dreadlocked ponytail played referee. These kids may have issues, but they're still kids.

It's hard to blame them. Who wants to spend two hours in a cinderblock classroom without air conditioning talking about how hard life is?

Most of the time, the red light of the class camcorder signaled pandemonium. Kids became unhinged as soon as they saw themselves on television. They practiced reading the news calmly into the camera and then whooped hysterically through the playback.

But two weeks ago they took a field trip.

Compared with the bland classroom at the community center, the Comcast studio on Ironbridge Road felt like Oz. The bright lights, monster cameras and oversized set had an immediate calming effect.

Dwarfed by the professional anchor desk, most of the kids were reduced to talking heads with clip-on microphones. Those who weren't on camera clumped together in the small control room to watch the action on tiny monitors.

Martin Stith, a production administrator with Comcast, recorded some footage that would be incorporated into the final show.

Stith ran back and forth, adjusting cameras and lights and counting down for quiet. For many kids, the hustle of an actual TV studio was an eye-opener.

But Charniece Holland popped her gum, unfazed.

The 12-year-old, who will enter seventh grade next month at Fairfield Middle School, said she wants to be a cosmetologist and a journalist.

"I think kids will watch it," Charniece said of the show, "They like to see that people are trying."

"It's important," said 11-year-old John Paige. "Some kids don't like to watch the news, but some other children might be having the same issues."

John wants to be a famous actor. He wants to be known around the world like Will Smith and Eddie Murphy. No kidding.

"When I was young I used to play in front of the camera," John said. "Now I know being in front of the camera is serious."

For many of these kids, growing up is just part of the problem. They have to make it through school and into adulthood in some of Richmond's less tranquil neighborhoods.

The bad stuff is abundant. And whatever sex, crime and drugs they can't see on the street is easily supplemented by movies, TV and music.

"If they have a positive influence in their life, those negatives can be diminished," said Sistrun.

Part of that positive influence is surrounding them with mentors. After taping, Stith assumed that role and took questions from the class. He talked to them about hard work and persistence. He told them that the future is up to them.

"You can do whatever you want to do, be what you want to be," said Stith. "Don't let anybody tell you that you can't."

Dejana Rose has wanted to be a lawyer since third grade. The 12-year-old already has plans to attend Yale and bring back a healthy dose of good neighborhood karma.

"The fact that I could help people with my education is really important," Dejana said. "Helping is important. I want kids younger than me to have stuff I didn't have."

Like?

"A safer community."

By the time the red light goes on tomorrow night, the kids from Westover Hills will probably not be polished. They won't be professional broadcasters. Whether they'll even be able to keep a straight face is debatable.

But according to Dejana, perfection isn't the point.

"Kids need to be heard."