That Uppity Theatre Company To Present TOM SAWYER Performance For Area Students As Part of Their DisAbility Project Feb 18th and 25th

Tom Sawyer STAGED FOR AREA STUDENTS AS PART OF "BIG READ" BY ACTORS WITH DISABILITIES

 

"The Assorted Short Adventures of Tom, Huck and Becky," will be performed for area students by That Uppity Theatre Company's award-winning DisAbility Project, an ensemble of actors with and without disabilities, as part of St. Louis' "Big Read" project. This is possibly the first production of this classic book to be created through a disability perspective and performed primarily by actors with disabilities.

This original production will be presented twice - on Thursday s February 18 and 25, at 11:30 a.m. at Washington University's 560 Trinity Music Center, at Delmar in University City. Admission is free, but seating is extremely limited at both shows. The February 18 performance has the most seats available, but they must be reserved in advance. To make reservations for a seat, phone Erin Vlasaty, special events coordinator of Cultural Festivals, at (314) 863-2865 or email EVlasaty@CulturalFestivals.com. For information on additional staging opportunities, contact That Uppity Theatre Company at (314) 534-1454.

Suitable for all ages, "The Assorted Short Adventures of Tom, Huck and Becky" was written and directed by Joan Lipkin and Aarya Sara Locker of the DisAbility Project and That Uppity Theatre Company. The production presents a lively selection of adventures from Mark Twain's classic story, enriched by audience participation and original songs composed by local songwriters and folk musicians Steve Givens and Mike Hall. Vocal coaching for the ensemble of actors is by Felicia Scott, and choreography is by J.T. Ricroft. Most of the actors use wheelchairs due to the nature of their disability, including the leading roles, Tom (portrayed by Margaret Jorgensen) and Becky (Ana Jennings).

"Twain reminded adults that children were not angels, but fellow human beings and perhaps all the more treasured for their 'imperfections,'" says artistic director and playwright Joan Lipkin. "This work had a profound impact on America. We see a parallel opportunity here to use this literary gem to broaden current perspectives on disability culture and to encourage the creativity of artists with disabilities."

The ensemble has 15 active members, both with and without disabilities, who are diverse in age, race, ethnicity, class, occupation, education, religion, sexual orientation, physical ability, and performance experience. The group's extensive repertoire and skillfully facilitated dialogue have made it an appropriate fit for a variety of settings, including educational institutions, conferences, special events, festivals, religious and civic groups, and corporations. For more information, go to: www.uppityco.com/dp.html

About the Big Read

 

April 2010 will mark the 100th anniversary of Mark Twain's death, and the National Endowment for the Arts is taking initiative through its "Big Read" program to put national focus on The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The Big Read is intended to foster literacy and conversation throughout the country and often focuses additionally on the arts as a way to achieve those goals.

More about the DisAbility Project and That Uppity Theatre Company

 

That Uppity Theatre Company was founded by Joan Lipkin in 1989 with the mission of putting the principles of cultural diversity into innovative theatrical practice and promoting civic dialogue, intentionally using art as a tool to address pressing community-wide issues. The 14-year-old DisAbility Project (DP) is one of the few and oldest groups of its kind in the country.

The DP continues this important mission and empowers individuals, honors their stories, sparks imaginations, provides new artistic opportunities, fosters community, and enhances public awareness about disability through live theatre of the highest quality. The DP's performances provide unexpected and entertaining ways to learn about disability issues, highlighting the potential and skills that many people with disabilities possess.

The group will be performing for an audience of 10,000 United Methodist Women at the Edward Jones Dome at the end of April. Artistic director Joan Lipkin and the DisAbility Project have received numerous honors, including the Brotherhood Sisterhood Award from the National Conference for Community & Justice, the Focus St. Louis "What's Right with the Region" Award for Improving Racial Equality and Social Justice, and the Missouri Governor's Council on Disability Enhancement Award.

Editor's Note: For more information, or to arrange interviews with any of the performers call Joan Lipkin at (314) 534-1454.

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