SHE HAS A NAME at The Elektra Theatre

SHE HAS A NAME, a presentation of Ripple Effect Artists is the critically-acclaimed play by Andrew Kooman that tells the story of CARLOS, a lawyer, who poses as a john to build a legal case against a brothel ring that is trafficking girls internationally. He meets NUMBER 18, a girl forced to work as a prostitute who claims to be 15 years old and has been working as a prostitute for six years. CARLOS realizes that her testimony is key to proving his case. Can he convince her to risk her life to testify for the sake of justice?

SHE HAS A NAME Debuts January 18^th in Limited Run at Elektra Theatre

In conjunction with Human Trafficking Month, Ripple Effect Artists will debut its 2017 production SHE HAS A NAME, the critically-acclaimed play by Andrew Kooman about human trafficking at the Elektra Theatre for a limited run: January, 18, 25 and February 1^st.  Each performance includes an educational talk-back by experts and/or survivors, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Restore NYC; Breaking the Silence and Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. Plans are to have a full run in the spring/summer 2017. Each show begins at 8:00pm, tickets range from $40 to $60 and can be purchased through Ripple Effect Artists website: https://ripple-effect-artists-inc.ticketleap.com/she-has-a-name-by-andrew-kooman/. The Elektra Theatre is located at 300 West 43^rd Street, 2^nd Floor, NYC. Ripple Effect Artists is an actor’s equity 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization that moves audiences from apathy to action through art, creating a Ripple Effect.

What: SHE HAS A NAME, Ripple Effect Artists’ production of the critically-acclaimed play by Andrew Kooman

When: January 18, January 25 and February 1^st

Time:  8:00pm – 10:30pm

Where: The Elektra Theatre, 300 West 43^rd Street, 2^nd Fl, NYC

Ticket Price*: $40 – $60

Ticket Website: https://ripple-effect-artists-inc.ticketleap.com/she-has-a-name-by-andrew-kooman/

*A portion of the proceeds benefit the following organizations: Restore NYC; Breaking The Silence, Human Trafficking and Ripple Effect Artists, Inc.

Talkbacks:

January 18th: Charlotte Walker-Said, Assistant Professor of Human Rights and International Law at John Jay College

January 25th: Psychotherapist Aimee Barr, LCSW and Jimmy Lee from Restore NYC.

February 1st: Aliza Amar, sex-trafficking victim & Founder, Breaking the Silence Together and Psychotherapist Aimee Barr, LCSW.

FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/rippleeffectartists

SYNOPSIS: SHE HAS A NAME tells the story of CARLOS, a young lawyer who poses as a john to build a legal case against a brothel ring that is trafficking young girls internationally. He meets NUMBER 18, a girl forced to work as a prostitute only to discover her testimony is key to proving his case. Can he convince her to risk her life to testify for the sake of justice?

ABOUT RIPPLE EFFECT ARTISTS: Ripple Effect Artists, Inc. is an actor’s equity 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that addresses injustice and causes social impact through art - primarily by producing masterful plays - presenting them along with talkback discussions in partnership with educators and advocacy groups. These events, their education plus their game-changing philanthropy cultivate empathy, shift audiences from APATHY to ACTION, and create a RIPPLE EFFECT in the larger community.  www.rippleeffectartists.com

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: THE ISSUE

Trafficking of women and children globally is a $32 Billion industry. Many people think this is only a third world issue, but that is not true. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that between 2008 and 2010, 83% of sex trafficking victims found within the U.S. were U.S. citizens, and 40% of those victims were children. In NYC alone, it is a $1 Billion industry. Only a few months ago, The New York Post uncovered a Brooklyn Brothel that was secretly a front for human trafficking. Furthermore, the majority – upwards of 85% in some states – of trafficked children have had contact with the foster care system. Our nation’s foster care systems do not have the appropriate resources to address the epidemic of trafficking minors. The Strengthening Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act (H.R.469) will change this by providing child welfare agencies with training and guidelines for working with youth who have been or currently are victims of trafficking.

CREATIVE TEAM:

Director: Beth Newbery

Stage Manager: Tony Mann

Executive Director, Jessie Fahay

CAST:

Ali/Voice 4 .............................................................Jessica Jennings

Marta/Voice 3…………………………………………………………........Mallory Kinney

Voice 1/Number 18………………………………………………………...Jessica Grant

Mama/Voice2..........................................................Jessica Fernando

Carlos/Pimp............................................................Joe Chisholm