Matrix Theatre Presents NO CHILD..., Now thru 10/13

Anyone concerned about the future of urban education in the U.S. will want to see No Child... by Nilaja Sun. This thought-provoking play examines the effect a young teaching artist has on a sophomore class in a failing inner city school. She's been charged with teaching the students drama and ultimately producing a performance of Our Country's Good over her six-week residency there. Deftly performed by actors Morgan Breon and Sunkari Clifford Sykes, Sun's play combines humor and heartbreak to take a realistic but optimistic look at the plight of urban education and the future of not only its students but our entire country. These stories are told through the eyes of 16 different characters - teachers, students, parents, administrators, a janitor, and a security guard - 15 of which are played by Ms. Breon, and 1 played by Sykes.

The play runs from today, September 20 through October 13. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 pm, with Sunday performances at 3 pm. A Talkback with community members and/or educators will follow each performance. All productions are presented at Matrix Theatre located at 2730 Bagley in the heart of Detroit's Mexicantown. Ticket prices are $20 for general admission and $15 for students and senior citizens (65+) with proper ID. Group rates are available. For further information, and to purchase tickets, call 313 967 0599, or go to www.matrixtheatre.org.

"I'm thrilled to be performing in such a relevant play," said actress Morgan Breon. "The educational crisis in this country is important to all of us and to our future as a society." She's also excited about the challenge of playing 15 characters within one show. "It's a great opportunity for me to really hone my skills." Breon says she fell in love with acting at the age of 11 when she wowed the audience with her depiction of Tina Turner in a school play. Two years later, she wrote and performed her own award-winning monologue entitled, Portrait of a Wise Woman which was inspired by her late grandmother, Janie. As a freshman at the University of Michigan, she joined its Educational Theatre Company where she once again performed a self-written monologue and was a two-time cast member of The Vagina Monologues. She soon begins work as the lead character in a Christian television series pilot with High Velocity Films.

Playing one character in No Child..., Sunkari Clifford Sykes says even though music is his profession, he has been in theatre all his life. Sykes holds undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Mass Communications from Lincoln University (Missouri). He has been a band director in the Michigan area since earning his Master's Degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Sykes performs throughout the area as a professional percussionist.

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