VI DEGREES Strives To Raise HIV Awareness, Announces New Director

Black Americans represent only 12% of the U.S population, but they account for more new HIV infections, AIDS cases, people estimated to be living with the HIV disease, and HIV-related deaths than any other racial/ethnic group in the country. This un-nerving statistic inspired Philadelphia playwright Kash Goins to script "VI DEGREES" an original theatrical work that examines a social sexual network of colorful characters who engage in unprotected sex, prostitution, living on the "down low" (closeted homosexuality), adultery and how each may contribute to the high rates of HIV/AIDS in the black community. This latest mounting of the play, in April, 2011 will be the first with a brand new director (Donja R. Love) and cast.

Over thirty years after the first recognized American case, there are still misconceptions, ignorance and stigmas about HIV / AIDS. GoKash Productions is a dedicated advocate for informing the community about testing and prevention methods .The Entertainment Company is maximizing the impact of the increasingly popular social networking mediums to get the importance of the message to their peers. Kash took a previous cast of "VI DEGREES" to the BEBASHI testing site in Philadelphia, where the cast recorded a video with their thoughts of the experience and linked the video to their Facebook pages for all friends to see. The video can be seen in it's entirety on the company's Facebook and YouTube pages, GoKash Productions. "We are driven to spread the word using MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and numerous participating bloggers. It is our hopes that we build support amongst our community of peers, encourage testing and reduce the stigmas and discrimination that follow the disease", says Shenille Melton, former GoKash Productions cast member and founder of iChoose2live.

In May, 2009 the Downtown Urban Theater Festival (DUTF) in New York City showcased "VI DEGREES" and awarded the production the honor of BEST PLAY. It was then subsequently produced as a featured presentation during the three-week Philly Urban Theatre Festival. Walter Dallas, Co Director MFA in Performance Program at the University of Maryland states "VI DEGREES" is the most important play for contemporary audiences I have ever seen."

"VI DEGREES" has the "wow" factor that will compel viewers to get tested", states Kash. "VI DEGREES" will run from April 19 - April 24 at The Adrienne Theatre Skybox (3rd floor), 2030 Sansom Street in Philadelphia. Shows are nightly at 8:00pm with an additional 2:00pm matinee on the Sunday, the 24th. All shows are $23.

This is the 2nd collaborative effort between Goins, and Donja R. Love of Recycled Love Productions. This duo brought the highly successful run of Love's "The Nigga Files" to the Shubin Theatre in January. The VI Degrees cast includes: Todd Anthony, Martina Holley, Jessica Lundy, Tobi Gadison, Tiffany Webb, DeAnna Wright, Aaron Thornton, Carlene Pochette, Jason Stewart, and Jacqui Nwankwa.

"VI DEGREES" is the first in a succession of social awareness entertainment endeavors created by Kash Goins, the founder of GoKash Productions. The Lincoln University alum launched the company in 2008

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