New Paradigm Theatre Company Announces Staged Reading Of 27 DAYS By Talia Hankin

27 Days is an original play written by 18 year old Talia Hankin, a New Paradigm Theatre youth board member, from Newtown, CT. It centers around an undocumented husband and father of two young daughters, who suddenly discovers that he is being deported in 27 days. The play explores the pitfalls of the immigration and deportation systems and how those systems affect both immigrants and U.S. citizens. It also asks the question: What would you do if you had 27 days to leave your home, to leave the life you have built, to leave your family, friends, and community behind?

The New Paradigm Theatre Company (NPT) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization fostering creative problem solvers, leaders, and global citizens through theatre arts education and productions. The presentation of this play is one of NPT's attempts to feature their talented youth, as well as to create theatre with a social conscience. "Our board members voted unanimously to produce this well-written Staged Reading (script in hand) and we paired Talia with one of our industry and playwright pros, Scott Bryce, as a mentor," says Artistic Director, Kristin Huffman.

Talia is a recent graduate and valedictorian of Newtown High School. She is a member of New Paradigm Theatre's Youth Board and will be attending Columbia University in the fall to study drama and theatre arts, as well as film and media studies. She says, "Scott Bryce has been an incredible mentor to me throughout this process. His advice about play-writing and storytelling has prompted me to approach the craft in a new way. And his feedback throughout the revision process has challenged me to delve deeper into the complexities of relationships, hardship and the moral and ethical belief systems that are explored in '27 Days'".

Talia was inspired to write "27 Days" after seeing the news and hearing immigrants' stories. She interviewed a nonprofit immigration lawyer in order to get an authentic perspective on what many immigrants are forced to endure. On the project, Talia says, "I wanted to write about an issue that is meaningful, relevant, and can spark conversation about current societal perceptions and attitudes. It is told through the eyes of the immigrant himself."

This play features such local Broadway and adult pros as Krista Adams Santilli, Barbara Distinti, Mark Holleran and Kristin Huffman as well as many NPT youth. Christiane Cardozo will play the leading role of "Andres".

The play will be performed on July 15th at 5:00pm at the Emmanuel Church in Weston, CT, 285 Lyons Plain Road.

Doors open at 4:45. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

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