Program Description of “This is Me”
An original screenplay written and directed by K.C. Nwajagu. Adapted and Directed by DonnaSue de Guzman for stage play.
Production Coordinator: Warnette Davis
Location: Trumbull Gardens Multi Center
Schedule: Wednesdays and Fridays 4-6 p.m. through May 5th, 2012
Classroom:
Students get to explore characters and relationships around gay teen issues, difficult family dynamics and hate crime amidst the backdrop of gangs.
The Cast:
Eric Ben Saldana
Danny Kenni Shaw
Danny’s Mother Shadae Davis
Elijah Trevon McCoy
Kate Karie Jackson
Eric’s Mother Leslie Moncada
Eric’s Father Joshua de Guzman
Eric’s Sister Toni Alves
Mrs. Owen Rachel Francais
Dustin David Michael
Jermaine Sam Panton
Discovery:
Rey Valentin, Actor, will conduct a workshop and video interviews with the participants to reflect upon the characters they are playing and the significance of the topics being addressed. In the process of going through the workshop, various acting exercises and rehearsals, students will discover tolerance, perseverance, finding oneself and standing up for ones rights.
Performance:
Trumbull Gardens Multi Center Friday March 30th at 8:00p.m.
Other locations to be determined based on funding availability.
Evaluation:
At conclusion of all the performances, students will be interviewed on video to reflect upon their experience as part of an evaluation process.
Program Description of Youth Forum
A forum on bullying, teen pregnancy, racism, baggy pants and youth and police relations. The forum will revolve around an original play, “Dying to Live,” written, produced, directed and performed by the participants.
Artistic Director: DonnaSue de Guzman
Production Coordinator: Warnette Davis
Location: Gary Crooks Memorial Center
Fall schedule: October 18th – December 20th, 2011
Spring schedule: January 3rd – June 12th, 2012
Tuesdays and Thursdays 5 – 7 p.m.
Production rehearsal schedule: May 8th – June 6th @ Downtown Cabaret Theater
Partners: McGivney Community Center and Bridgeport Housing Authority
Registration Fee: $25
Orientation/Registration: OCTOBER 4th 2011 @ Gary Crooks Center
Classroom:
Program consists of dance and theater classes where students continue developing and improving upon last year’s youth forum/play. Writing, improvising, diction, and movement will be expected of all participants. Youth Leaders are chosen/appointed based on years in the program and level of participation. Youth Leaders are eligible for stipends/allowances based on funding availability. Youth Leaders are involved in all decision making facets of the classroom activities and performance projects. Students explore different characters, scenarios and situations that address the issues of bullying, teen pregnancy, racism, baggy pants and youth and police relations. They write, develop, cast, produce and perform scenes that they decide to perform.
Discovery
The discovery phase allows our students to get feedback on their projects to make them better. The purpose is to expand the youth’s vision, enhance their work and support the core values we teach. The workshop scheduled this year are:
New York City Dec 17th Workshop/Bullying / Lunch / Broadway Show
YWCA New Haven Jan 16th Youth and Police mini-grant showcase
Local Schools Feb 2012 Portions of the youth forum/play performance
Performance:
June 6th at the Downtown Cabaret Theater.
Specific performances in the Hartford region will be announced later.
you guys are GREAT : )keep it up .