| ST. LOUIS, MO – An ethnically diverse group of nearly 20 elementary, middle and high school students from Gitana Productions’ Global Education through the Arts program will present free public performances of “Living the Dream: 50 Years and Beyond” during February, Black History Month.
“Fifty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave the speech that inspired the world with his dream for equality,” said Cecilia Nadal, executive director of Gitana Productions. “Dr. King’s speech continues to be a catalyst for self-examination, change and compassion,” said Nadal. “We are encouraging each new generation, including immigrant students, to discover and examine the Dream.” This year’s fifth annual “Living the Dream” will tackle social issues facing youth in school, at home and in the community. The The 45-minute music, drama and dance performance promoting nonviolence and acceptance was scripted by Lee Patton Chiles, directed by Gregory Cuellar and choreographed by Vivian Anderson Watt. “Living the Dream” is presented by S2G Performers (South-Side to Global Performers), a group of students who earned the right to participation in the tour through their involvement in Gitana Productions’ Global Education through the Arts. This community arts project promotes intercultural competence among local youth, most of them from economically challenged neighborhoods in North and South St. Louis City. Many of the 100 students served each year by Gitana Productions are first-generation immigrants from war-torn and distressed countries including the Congo, Somalia, Tanzania, Mexico, Ethiopia and Honduras. “These young people are remarkably astute about issues of suffering, prejudice, intolerance and survival. This performance gives them the opportunity to present a truly heartfelt message promoting nonviolence and love in the home, schools and community,” said Cecilia Nadal, executive director of Gitana Productions. Over the past six years, “Living the Dream” performances have reached more than 5,000 youth in the St. Louis region. Students from the Saint Louis University theater department serve as mentors. “The college students are great role models for the kids, and our kids influence them as well,” said Nadal. “Several college students added coursework in urban teaching and social work because of their Gitana experience.” Over the years, the Living the Dream tour has performed at homeless shelters, Boys and Girls Clubs, churches, public libraries, senior citizens facilities, and schools, earning excellent audience reviews. Last year, the Global Education students joined forces with Indian youth from the BalVihar Cultural Center in West County to deliver messages of nonviolence written by Dr. Martin Luther King and Mohandas Gandhi. Two of the events reached 1000 children, youth and adults from the Indian community at Clayton High School and Ladue Middle School. The public can attend the free performances at Carpenter Library and Christ Southern Missionary Baptist Church without reservations. Reservations are required for performances at the Juvenile Detention centers. Call (314) 721-6556 to RSVP. St. Louis City Juvenile Detention Center (reservations required) St. Louis City Hall Carpenter Branch Library St. Louis County Detention Center (reservations required) Website – www.gitana-inc.org Global Education through the Arts is a community arts project that promotes intercultural competence among economically challenged youth living in South and North St. Louis city. The 16-week after-school program welcomes ethnically diverse youth to learn dance, poetry, drama, and cultural diversity as a way to cultivate social skills, team building, cross-cultural communication, and conflict resolution. Participants who successfully complete the program have the opportunity to be involved in one of Gitana’s professional main stage productions. The Regional Arts Commission, Missouri Arts Council, St. Louis Philanthropic Organization, City of St. Louis and Monsanto have provided funding to support Gitana Productions programs. Gitana Productions, Inc. is a not-for-profit arts and education organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural awareness and collaboration by bringing international music, dance and drama to the St. Louis community. Gitana events present a rarely seen diversity of international and local artists exhibiting an array of traditional and innovative artistic expressions. For more information, visit www.gitana-inc.org or call Gitana Productions at (314) 721-6556. # # #
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Source: Gitana – News