Collision Project Will Examine John Lewis' MARCH

The ALLIANCE THEATRE has assembled a diverse group of 21 students for the 16th Palefsky Collision Project, an annual program that gives high-school students a platform to tackle important social issues. Guided by the Alliance's Mellon Playwright in Residence Pearl Cleage, director Patrick McColery, and assistant director Rodney Williams, participants are encouraged to find and claim their own voices within a judgment free zone of creativity and community. This innovative program challenges metro Atlanta teens to "collide" with a classic text and make it their own. This year's catalytic text will be Congressman John Lewis's graphic novel March. As a young student activist, Congressman Lewis was inspired by the 1958 comic book Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story. Now he brings the Civil Rights Movement to life for a whole new generation.

"I'm always excited to interact with our new 'Collisioners,'" said Pearl Cleage, who is leading her seventh Palefsky Collision Project. "They are curious, hopeful, and determined. At the end of the three weeks they spend with us, we challenge them to go out and change the world as active, engaged citizens."

Each year, the Alliance assembles an impressive group of guest speakers and artists to work with the students on writing and performance exercises leading up to the development of the final production. This year, special guests include: singer-songwriter Doria Roberts, dance-maker Lauri Stallings, choreographer Mama YeYe, director Rosemary Newcott, and more.

Through improvisational exercises, oral history, choreography, and each student's own talents and skills, the participants will create a new theatrical piece inspired by March, but perceived and shared through their own unique and contemporary experience and told entirely through their own creative writing. The wholly original piece participants will write and shape together is guaranteed to inspire audiences at the two free performances these young artists will offer at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on July 28 & 29.

The Alliance hosts open interviews each year, calling for students "who have something to say and the desire to say it." The ensemble of the Palefsky Collision Project is made up of actors, singers, dancers, writers, directors, and techies. Any high school student, regardless of experience, is invited to interview to become a part of this project.

This experience is free to all participants through generous support from Vicky and Howard Palefsky, the Georgia-Pacific Foundation, AT&T, the Zeist Foundation, and Theatre Forward.

RSVP for free tickets: http://alliancetheatre.org/content/current-project or 404.733.5000.

STUDENTS CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR'S PALEFSKY COLLISION PROJECT ARE:

• Sherifa Abudalai - Shiloh High School
• Gillian Baker - DeKalb County, home schooler
• Roman W. Banks - Parkview High School
• Khatera (Khati) Barati - Global Village Project
• Caroline Caden - Hillgrove High School
• Austin Geter - North Cobb Christian School
• Jake Gies - Chamblee Charter High School
• Justin Hall - Campbell High School
• Laila Henderson - Campbell High School
• Josh Lelonek - Campbell High School
• Maya McCollum - Arabia Mountain High School
• Akyra (Kye) McDougal - Tri-Cities High School
• Camryn Mullin - Cherokee High School
• Lorenzo Sacchi - The Paideia School
• Rachael Simpson - Northsprings High School
• Adana Smalls - New Manchester High School
• Isabella (Isa) Solis - Archbishop Chapelle (Metairie, LA)
• Joshua Turner - Tri-Cities High School
• Angel Upshaw - Tri-Cities High School
• Evita Walch - Pebblebrook High School
• Jabril Williams - North Cobb High School

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