Arts-A-Fire Youth Troupe Presents TESTAMENT 2/10-12

In February, the Arts-A-Fire Youth Theater Troupe will present its second original musical production. A Black History Month collaborative piece, TESTAMENT opens February 10th through 12th at the Evergreen Theater, 1705 Poplar Ave. Show times are 7pm on Friday and Saturday and 3pm on Sunday. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for MBAA members and $10 for children under 12 and groups of 10 or more. For information and ticket reservations, call the Memphis Black Arts Alliance, Inc. – FireHouse Community Arts Center at 901-948-9522, visit the center at 985 South Bellevue Blvd., or send an email to mbaafirehouse@gmail.com. Tickets also can be purchased online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/220201.

Under the direction of Leslie Reddick, youth troupe members have composed an exciting compilation of narrative, poetry, dance and song that celebrates the rich American heritage, past and present of African-Americans. “Testament” includes the poetry of Pauli Murray, Langston Hughes and current music artists as well as biographies of lesser-known Black Americans. Audiences will also recognize text from the Declaration of Independence and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Executive Director Bennie Nelson West said, TESTAMENT features seventeen of our area’s top young actors, ages 9 – 17, representing 15 area schools, and director Leslie Reddick is making her directorial debut with MBAA.” Reddick holds a B.A. in Communication Arts from Rhodes College and a M.F.A. in Theater from the University of Memphis. She has acted and directed at Rhodes College, Circuit Playhouse, the University of Memphis and Hattiloo Theatre. She is in her 17th year as the Middle School Performing Arts teacher at Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School.

Sponsored by the FireHouse Community Arts Academy of the Memphis Black Arts Alliance, the Arts-A-FIRE Youth Theater Troupe provides area young people an opportunity to excel on stage and in life. “We know our children are experiencing great challenges,” said West, “However, we also know the power of the arts to heal and fire up positive energy and creativity. We intend to help these children discover and craft their gifts so that they and the community can benefit from their growth and development.” http://www.memphisblackartsalliance.org/

The Troupe offers a year-round program which attracts young people, regardless of their race, in an arts-driven youth development program led by professional artists-educators. They learn drama, dance, vocal music, play writing, set design, production and stage management. For details on becoming a part of the Arts-A-Fire Youth Theater Troupe, call (901) 948-9522 or visit MBAA’s FireHouse Community Arts Center at 985 South Bellevue Blvd. during office hours: 10am - 6pm, Monday- Friday and 10am-2pm on Saturdays.

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