Wayne State’s Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance is connecting with the community through the launch of its Detroit Youth Theatre and Dance Journey.
The outreach program kicked off June 3 with the anti-bullying-themed play Cinderella, or It’s Okay to Be Different, which will travel to 11 Detroit elementary schools throughout the month. Public shows will begin at WSU’s Hilberry Theatre on June 20.
“Cutbacks in DPS art programs have reduced the children’s exposure to fine and creative arts,” says Theatre and Dance Chair John Wolf. “Having the opportunity to provide them access to theatre and dance and to entertain them for a day will hopefully enhance their lives and lighten their load.”
Cinderella, or It’s Okay to Be Different takes place on a school playground as a group of students discover that there are hundreds of Cinderella tales around the world. The up-beat, multicultural show focuses on the universality of folk literature while incorporating life lessons.
The production also is slated for three separate festivals throughout the city during the month of June, including North Rosedale Park’s June Days Festival, Detroit River Days and the Summer in the Park Children’s Series at Campus Martius.
The cast includes Yesmeen Mikhail (Wyandotte) as “Kim,” Jacqueline Fenton (Allen Park) as “Lacey,” Tayler Jones (Detroit) as “Teresa,” Brittany Michael (St. Clair Shores) as “Jodie,” Jackson McLaskey (Mount Clemens) as “Jeremy,” and Colin Mallory (Lansing) as “Kyle.”
The creative team includes Director Andrew Papa (Farmington), Production Manager Veronica Zahn (Michigan City, Ind.), Stage Manager Nick Boyd (Redford) Scenic and Property Designer Christa Tausney (Garden City), Costumer Designer Mary Leyendecker (Hazel Park), Lighting Designer Ryan Koprince (Ferndale) and Sound Designer Amy Schneider (Sterling Heights).
For more information about the public shows, visit www.hilberry.com or the Hilberry box office, 4743 Cass Ave. Individual tickets are $5 for children and $8 for adults. Group rates are available.