Jan Cohen-Cruz, professor of Drama at New York University and local dancer Stephanie Makee, along with students from NYU, Xavier, and Tulane Universities have started a theatre program for neighborhood youth in the 7th Ward. With help from The Porch, twelve to sixteen 7th Ward children, ranging in age from six to fourteen, are learning the art and discipline of performance. For more information, please contact Ed at The Porch: 504-401-1836.
The theatre workshop’s first performance, Local Heroes, took place at The Porch on February 24th. Honoring ten New Orleanians of African descent, the performance arose from work by New Orleans artists Willie Birch and Ron Bechet. These artists, assisted by students from Xavier University, produced prints of ten local heroes, and posted them throughout The Porch’s neighborhood. The project honored such individuals as Creole chef Leah Chase, former mayor Ernest “Dutch” Morial, and the artist John T. Scott. More than 40 neighbors joined Porch members to watch the children perform, many staying to share the barbeque that followed.
Jan and the rest of the youth theatre workshop invite you to come out on April 14th, 2007 at 1pm to The Porch Outdoor Theatre on Urquhart Street (off Pauger, across from the AP Tureaud School) for the group’s second free performance and BBQ. The event will also feature story circles with the audience.
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