SHAFRIKA, THE WHITE GIRL Offers Free Student Matinees 6/15, 16 & Talk-back 6/21

Jaradoa Theater is presenting SHAFRIKA, THE WHITE GIRL, a new musical, through June 28 at the Dimson Theatre at The Vineyard, 108 East 15th Street (between Union Square East & Irving Place). Performances began on June 12. Written by Anika Larsen, SHAFRIKA, THE WHITE GIRL is co-conceived and directed by April Nickell.

Jaradoa Theater is making two special matinees available at no cost to students participating in their outreach programs. These performances have been scheduled at noon on both Monday, June 15 and Tuesday, June 16. Students who have been working with Jaradoa's Theater & Literacy program and R.Evolucion Latina's "Dare to Go Beyond" programs are being invited to the matinees. The SHAFRIKA cast and creative team will also be on hand to offer talkbacks, answering questions from the students following these special performances.

The SHAFRIKA company has also scheduled a post-show talkback on Sunday, June 21, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the journey of bringing this ambitious new musical to the stage.

There will also be a panel discussion on diversity in the arts, sponsored by R.Evolucion Latina, following the performance on Monday, June 22 at 8 p.m. SHAFRIKA's choreographer Luis Salgado is the Founder and Director of R.Evolucion Latina, a collective of artists and activists committed to empowering the artistic community in order to inspire growth within the Latino Community through collaboration, productions, educational and support programs.

SHAFRIKA, THE WHITE GIRL tells Anika Larsen's own story of growing up in Cambridge, MA with nine brothers and sisters who are Black, White, Asian, Latino, and Native American. The 17-member cast portrays the many people in her world who help to shape Anika's identity while being raised in such a unique rainbow family. Along the way, she's forced to grapple with the truth in this unique and quirky exploration of race, identity and family. Book and lyrics for SHAFRIKA, THE WHITE GIRL are by Anika Larsen, with original music composed by Tim Acito, Joshua Henry and Janice Lowe. The show is backed by a five-piece band.

Anika Larsen heads the cast of SHAFRIKA, THE WHITE GIRL. Also featured in the company are Chloe Campbell, Anthony Comis, Stephen Gelpi, Chris Harbur, John Harrison, Ricardo Hinoa, Amanda Hunt, Mario Martinez, Stephanie Martinez, Zonya Love, Liz Piccoli, Elizabeth Racanelli, Eileen Rivera, Lawrence Stallings, Shelley Thomas, and Gregory Treco.

Anika Larsen has appeared on Broadway in "Xanadu," "Rent" and "All Shook Up." Her Off-Broadway credits include "Zanna, Don't!;" "Miracle Brothers;" "How to Save the World and Find True Love in 90 Minutes;" and "Serenade." This July, Anika will be joining the Broadway cast of "Avenue Q" playing Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut.

Jaradoa ("Just A Roomful of Artists Doing Outreach And") Theater is proudly kicking off its third season with SHAFRIKA, THE WHITE GIRL. The company is a member-based group of theater artists - actors, directors, writers, and designers - who have come together to promote mercy, beauty, and truth through performance and service. They are committed to creating theater while serving the community at large through theater outreach and partnerships with relief organizations. Jaradoa Radio Theater is just one of the company's current public services, with monthly performances of a radio play at centers for low-income and homeless elderly. In addition, Jaradoa has run Play On!, their acting and playwriting program, in public schools, community centers, a shelter for runaway and homeless teenagers, and at an alternative to incarceration program for 12-18 year olds. Their theater and literacy program works with students struggling with literacy, using theater and acting techniques to help them read to comprehend.

The playing schedule for SHAFRIKA, THE WHITE GIRL is June 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, & 27 at 8 p.m., June 21 at 7 p.m., June 20 & 27 at 2 p.m., and June 28 at 3 p.m. Tickets: www.SmartTix.com (212) 868-4444. For more information, visit www.JaradoaTheater.org.

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