by Wesley Middleton

Tuesday,  October 12^th at 6:30pm

Location: The Little Theatre at Clayton High School   #1 Mark Twain Circle   Clayton, MO 63105 [map]

Fee: FREE  ($5 donation suggested)

Time itself seems to move to the rhythm of Bossy Best Friend’s control, as she dictates the terms of playtime with the newcomer kid she calls “Little Girl.” But all the rules change when a messy girl-creature springs out of the vegetable garden, spitting dirt and crying red tears.

Tomato Plant Girl is an entertaining, yet powerful story about forging relationships.  The play sets the stage for important discussion about how we take care of ourselves, as well as each other, in a true friendship.  Tomato Plant Girl delights audiences of all ages and both genders with sharp dialogue, physical action and playful, high-energy conflict.   Join Metro Theater Company for this early evening treat for the entire family.  Seating is limited for this free, single performance in the intimate 90-seat Little Theatre at Clayton High School.  Come early!

Running Time:  50 minutes

Written and performed by St. Louis Artist, Mariah L. Richardson

Saturday, October 16^th and Saturday, October 17^th at 1:00pm

Location: Old North St. Louis Restoration Group  2700 North 14^th Street  St. Louis, MO 63106 [map]

Fee: FREE  ($5 donation suggested)

Delilah’s Wish is the story of one very challenging year in the life of an 8-year old girl named Delilah, who lives in Old North St. Louis.  It’s a tough year because her mom is away serving in the military.  Delilah lives in a neighborhood with people of different religions, different races, different nationalities.  And, as we hear from outspoken Delilah, not everyone gets along.

Delilah’s Wish is a play is about the turbulent emotional journey of a resilient child who discovers that people can live together as neighbors who respect each other and appreciate the differences that make them unique.

Come see this touching play in the very St. Louis neighborhood where it is set.  These special weekend performances are free and open to the public, but seating is limited!

Running Time:  40 minutes

Age recommendation:  Adults and children age 8 and older

You can also visit the box office at Edison Theatre.

Box office hours:

Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
On performances the box office window opens one hour prior to curtain.

Box office location:

Edison Theatre
Washington University in St. Louis
Mallinckrodt Center
6445 Forsyth Blvd, Room 203
St. Louis, MO 63130

Map

Conducted by the Diversity Awareness Partnership, Metro Theater Company and professional artists, the Diversity Arts Summer Program is under the direction of Emily Task, program director at the Diversity Awareness Partnership and the founder of the summer program.

“Witnessing the segregation and isolation that exists in some communities, and the hatred and ignorance that goes unchallenged through generations, can be so damaging,” says Task. “I developed this program to offer an empowering space in which young people can engage in a different reality, and explore tools to create pathways back into their schools and communities.”
Task notes that the program seeks to help students understand their own multiple identities, but also to support the building of allied relationships between other cultural, community and identity-based groups. “We offer them a safe space to explore, share, reflect — and to be successful.”

Teaching artists at this compelling summer program include Emily Kohring, education director and artistic associate at Metro Theater Company, Rodney Smith, and Brett Williams. Speakers who met with the students during the 2010 program include representatives from the Organization for Black Struggle, Interfaith Partnership, Missouri Immigrant & Refugees Advocates (MIRA), Planned Parenthood, and College Summit.

SPECIAL EVENT: At the end of the two week program, two special events featuring the students’ imaginative works take place.  These special events are held at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd. in St. Louis. The public is invited.  A gallery show of the students’ projects runs for two weeks after the special event.

DATES: The program dates for 2011 are TBD.

For more information, call Nancy Tonkins at Metro Theater Company at 314-997-6777.

Watch the video now.

Three (60-minute) sessions minimum

Three (60-minute) sessions minimum

Five (60-minute) sessions minimum

For 4^th grade and up: Metro Theater Company’s teaching artists use non-competitive drama games and improvisation to help students build a safe, welcoming classroom community. Improvisational scenarios examine teasing, exclusion, name-calling and bullying, and help students create positive strategies to deal with such problems.  Residency can be integrated with specific classroom literature or curriculum unit, such as study of the Holocaust or the civil rights movement.

Five (60-minute) sessions minimum