11 International Teenagers From 7 Countries Perform Original Play FOUND IN FLIGHT

Cleveland Public Theatre's (CPT) Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan is proud to present Global Teen Performance Project's original play, Found in Flight, in CPT's James Levin Theatre on Thursday, March 14, and Friday, March 15, at 7:00pm. Tickets are free, with a $5 suggested donation.

The Global Teen Performance Project ensemble is made up of students from Thomas Jefferson International Newcomers Academy, whose countries of origin include Afghanistan, Dominican Republic, Nepal, Puerto Rico, Somali, Sudan, and Uganda.

Found in Flight features original stories and performances created by Global Teen Performance Project, students from Thomas Jefferson International Newcomers Academy, ages 14-19. This performance is the culmination of a rigorous and collaborative after-school rehearsal process between students and CPT teaching artists, with the support and involvement of the school's teachers and staff. Together they have created an original work of theatre based on the students' stories and cultures, and their experiences as newcomers in the U.S. Global Teen Performance Project seeks to enhance cross-cultural understanding among a diverse group of international teens and their new Cleveland community.

According to CPT's Executive Artistic Director, Raymond Bobgan: "Through this extraordinary project, we can learn about each other, our neighbors old and new, those who happen to look like us and those who don't, and we can work together to advance the youth in our community. Global Teen Performance Project is a unique collaboration between organizations working to make change in the community, both believing and investing in the power of art to transform lives and change minds."

ABOUT FOUND IN FLIGHT

Teenagers from different corners of the world arrive at the airport ready to travel the globe, reunite with family, and make a new home. Flight delays and changing plans compel the travelers to reach out for help and find community in the kindness of strangers. In sharing their personal stories, they find they are not alone despite traveling to an unfamiliar country and being separated from family. Found in Flight, an original performance based on the experiences of 11 international teenagers from 7 countries, is a story of finding footing, forging new pathways, and discovering the power of friendship and family. Global Teen Performance Project participants risk by sharing their path while uncovering commonality as they look to each other for guidance and community.

CAST and CREW of GLOBAL TEEN PERFORMANCE PROJECT'S FOUND IN FLIGHT

The cast includes Abdi Hakim Abdi, Ikran Abdi, Maryan Abdi, Amena Ahmadi, Mohamed Ali, Carlos Cotto, Urmila Gurung, Mina Khan, Mustafa Khan, Christine Mukamisha, Intisar Musa, and Lenny Ramirez.

The Creative Production Team includes Adam Seeholzer - Director & Program Manager; Lexy Lattimore - Assistant Director; Anastasía Urozhaeva - Teaching Artist; Inda Blatch-Geib - Costume & Scenic Designer; and Val Kozlenko - Set Construction.

Made possible through generous support from: Cleveland City Council, Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), Char & Chuck Fowler, Global Cleveland, William J. and Dorothy K. O'Neill Foundation.

Global Teen Performance Project's Found in Flight performs on Thursday, March 14, and Friday, March 15, at 7:00pm in CPT's James Levin Theatre, located at 6415 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102, in the heart of the Gordon Square Arts District.

Tickets are FREE, with a $5 suggested donation.

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