VI DEGREES Featured In D.C. Black Theatre Festival June 17-18

Black Americans represent only 12% of the U.S population, but they account for more new HIV infections, AIDS cases, people estimated to be living with the HIV disease, and HIV-related deaths than any other racial/ethnic group in the country. This un-nerving statistic inspired Philadelphia based playwright Kash Goins to script "VI DEGREES" an original theatrical work that examines a social sexual network of colorful characters and how each may contribute to the high rates of HIV/AIDS in the black community.

Over thirty years after the first recognized American case, there is still ignorance and
misconceptions about HIV / AIDS. GoKash Productions is a dedicated advocate for informing
the community about testing and prevention methods. "We are driven to spread the word using
MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and numerous participating bloggers. It is our hopes that
we build support amongst our community of peers, encourage testing and reduce the stigmas
and discrimination that follow the disease", says Shenille Melton, former GoKash Productions
cast member and founder of iChoose2live.

In 2009 the Downtown Urban Theater Festival (DUTF) in New York City showcased "VI DEGREES" and awarded the production the honor of the festival's BEST PLAY. Walter Dallas, Co Director MFA in Performance Program at the University of Maryland states "VI DEGREES" is the most important play for contemporary audiences I have ever seen."

"VI DEGREES" will be onstage June 17th and 18th as part of the 2011 D.C. Black Theatre
Festival at The Arc Theater, 1901 Mississippi Ave, SE Washington, D.C. 20020. This introductory D.C. performance stars Tray Chaney of the acclaimed HBO Drama "The Wire". Friday's show is 8pm and Saturday's is 9:30pm. All shows are $15. Kash Goins is a Lincoln University alum with over twelve years of professional theatre experience as an actor.

To learn more about Kash Goins and his stage plays please visit:
www.GOKASHPRODUCTIONS.COM.

To learn more about the D.C. Black Theatre Festival or to get tickets, please visit:
http://www.dcblacktheatrefestival.com/welcome.htm .