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ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI - "Black and Blue," an original play by Gitana Productions that explores the complex relationship between the African American community and the police, opens Friday, May 22 at the Missouri History Museum.
The play, written by Lee Patton Chiles with music produced by TBeats Entertainment, encourages cross-cultural understanding and healing in light of the Michael Brown shooting and susequent events in Ferguson.
Admission is free to eliminate cost barriers and bring this important message to as many people as possible, according to Gitana Executive Director Cecilia Nadal. "The events in Ferguson and across the country ruptured widespread denial about the state of race relations and equal justice under the law in our country," said Nadal. "This play peels back the presumption of guilt on both sides of the issue so that we can begin the healing process."
When Nadal first heard about Michael Brown's shooting death last August, she raced to Ferguson to participate in the protests and try to make sense of what had happened. "As soon as Michael Brown was shot and the protests began, I knew I needed to be there," said Nadal. "I was on the protest line for 10 days and made a point of talking with people of different nationalities and races. I was looking for something."
What she found were people's unique stories. She worked with playwright Lee Patton Chiles to weave those stories into a spoken-word performance about the historical tension between African-American communities and law enforcement, presenting both viewpoints.
Chiles based "Black and Blue" on a compilation of interviews with police officers and members of the African American community. Performers include professional actors as well as people from the community and the Center of Hope and Peace.
The eight community actors, all of whom were active in the Ferguson protests, include a nurse/youth educator; a 12-year-old girl; a high school student; a 19-year-old man who was teargassed and shot with rubber and wooden bullets; and David Royal, a Ferguson activist with eight children who founded the Center of Hope and Peace. Guest recording artist Dyce will perform his debut single WALK WITH U.S.
The lineup of professional and community actors is at
http://www.gitana-inc.org/stage . Music for the play was produced by TBeats Entertainment, a music recording and production company owned by Anthony (Tony) Thompson, CEO of Kwame Building Group and a noted African American community leader. Most of the music was written, recorded and contributed by Thompson and TBeats Studio recording artists, with lyrics by Lee Patton Chiles. TBeats Studios is a quality recording facility in downtown St. Louis, providing a range of training and artist support services to help musicians create, learn, and progress in their careers. For more information, visit
http://www.tbeatsstudio.com .
Performances at the Missouri History Museum run from May 22-24. "Black and Blue" also will be presented over a four-week run at Kranzberg Art Center from May 29-31; Greater St. Mark Family Church on June 7; and St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley from June 19-21.
Reservations are required at all locations except the Missouri History Museum, where admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tickets are limited and reservations can be made online at
http://www.gitana-inc.org , by calling (314) 721-6556 or emailing info@gitana-inc.org.
Each performance will be followed by a question-and-answer session featuring community leaders.
"Black and Blue" Performance Schedule Missouri History Museum, Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23 - 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 24 - 3:00 p.m. Matinee*First-come, first-served
• Kranzberg Arts Center501 N. Grand near the Fox Theater, Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 - 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 31 - 3:00 p.m. Matinee*Reservations required
• Greater St. Mark Family Church9950 Glen Owen, Ferguson, Sunday, June 7 - 3:00 p.m. Matinee*Reservations required
• St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Rd. Terry M. Fischer Theater, Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20 - 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 21 - 3:00 p.m. Matinee*Reservations required
After June 30, Gitana Productions will offer the play to other organizations and groups in the community. Call Gitana Productions at (314) 721-6556.
"This play is inspired by Ferguson and starts there, but it is not intended to be only about Ferguson," said Nadal.
The Regional Arts Commission, Missouri Arts Council and Arts and Education Council have provided funding to support Gitana Productions events.
ABOUT GITANA PRODUCTIONS: 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.
Events produced by Gitana present a rarely seen diversity of international and local artists exhibiting both traditional and innovative artistic expressions. For more information, visit
http://www.gitana-inc.org or call Gitana Productions at (314) 721-6556. |
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