Arts-A-Fire young thespians grow with ‘The ME Nobody Knows’
http://tri-statedefenderonline.com/articlelive/articles/4385/1/Arts-A-Fire-young-thespians-grow-with-The-ME-Nobody-Knows/Page1.html
By Tri-State Defender Newsroom
Published on 11/25/2009
The Memphis Black Arts Alliance’s Arts-A-Fire Youth Theater Troupe presents its musical production of “The Me Nobody Knows” at TheatreWorks at 2085 Monroe on Dec. 3-6.
Arts-A-Fire young thespians grow with ‘The ME Nobody Knows’
The Memphis Black Arts Alliance’s Arts-A-Fire Youth Theater Troupe presents its musical production of “The Me Nobody Knows” at TheatreWorks at 2085 Monroe on Dec. 3-6.
Produced by the Memphis Black Arts Alliance in cooperation with Bluff City Tri-Arts Theater Co., the local production revives the Tony-nominated, OBIE award-winning play first produced on Broadway in the 1970’s.
Sponsored by the FireHouse Community Arts Academy of the Memphis Black Arts Alliance, the Theater Troupe was formed to provide young people from throughout the Greater Memphis an opportunity to excel on stage and in life.
“The Me Nobody Knows” performance is a welcome run in the spotlight for the youth troupe’s aspiring thespians, including fourth-grader Kaitlin McDabe, 9.
“I want to start my career being an actress,” said Kaitlin, explaining why she became a member of the Art-A-Fire troupe.
For Georgetta Buggs, 17, this is her fourth play. She started classes at FireHouse Community Arts Academy when she was 12.
Terrence Martin is a “triple threat” – he not only acts but sings and dances. His favorite dancing is “jooking.”
“The Me Nobody Knows” is based on the poems and stories of inner-city school students between the ages of 7 – 18 growing up in the late 60’s. The play expresses the pain and joys of growing up. Through drama, song and dance, it tells how the youth feel about their neighborhoods, family, school and more. At its height, the play is about understanding, compassion and an unsentimental determination for hope.
Bennie Nelson West, the Alliance’s executive director, said the troupe’s children are experiencing great challenges.
“However, we also know the power of the arts to heal and fire up positive energy and creativity,” she said. “We intend to help these children discover and craft their gifts so that they and the community can benefit from their growth and development.”
At a glance
The production of “The Me Nobody Knows” lays the groundwork for a year-round, youth development program that attracts youth regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity or income to participate in an arts-driven youth development program led by professional artists-educators. The students learn drama, dance, vocal music, play writing, set design, production and stage management.
Show times: 7 p.m., Dec. 3-5; 3 p.m., Dec. 6.
Tickets: $15, $12 for MBAA members, $10 for children under 14 and groups of 10 or more.
Details: Call 901-948-9522.
 |
| Arts-A-Fire Troupe members – (l to r) Georgetta Buggs, Kaitlin McDabe and Terrence Martin – prepare for their production of “The Me Nobody Knows” Dec. 3-6 at TheatreWorks. (Courtesy photo) |
Sponsored by the FireHouse Community Arts Academy of the Memphis Black Arts Alliance, the Theater Troupe was formed to provide young people from throughout the Greater Memphis an opportunity to excel on stage and in life.
“The Me Nobody Knows” performance is a welcome run in the spotlight for the youth troupe’s aspiring thespians, including fourth-grader Kaitlin McDabe, 9.
“I want to start my career being an actress,” said Kaitlin, explaining why she became a member of the Art-A-Fire troupe.
For Georgetta Buggs, 17, this is her fourth play. She started classes at FireHouse Community Arts Academy when she was 12.
Terrence Martin is a “triple threat” – he not only acts but sings and dances. His favorite dancing is “jooking.”
“The Me Nobody Knows” is based on the poems and stories of inner-city school students between the ages of 7 – 18 growing up in the late 60’s. The play expresses the pain and joys of growing up. Through drama, song and dance, it tells how the youth feel about their neighborhoods, family, school and more. At its height, the play is about understanding, compassion and an unsentimental determination for hope.
Bennie Nelson West, the Alliance’s executive director, said the troupe’s children are experiencing great challenges.
“However, we also know the power of the arts to heal and fire up positive energy and creativity,” she said. “We intend to help these children discover and craft their gifts so that they and the community can benefit from their growth and development.”
At a glance
The production of “The Me Nobody Knows” lays the groundwork for a year-round, youth development program that attracts youth regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity or income to participate in an arts-driven youth development program led by professional artists-educators. The students learn drama, dance, vocal music, play writing, set design, production and stage management.
Show times: 7 p.m., Dec. 3-5; 3 p.m., Dec. 6.
Tickets: $15, $12 for MBAA members, $10 for children under 14 and groups of 10 or more.
Details: Call 901-948-9522.