AJUMA: A JOURNEY U MAKE ALONE Announced At Hudson Valley MOCA's Black Box

AJUMA, an original work written and performed by spoken word and visual artist Katori opens at Hudson Valley MOCA's Black Box in Peekskill on March 23rd and 30th at 3:00PM. Directed by Mara Mills, artistic Director and co-founder of Studio Theater in Exile, AJUMA, based on generations of Katori's family, captures the seminal moments of their lives. From a fiery great-grandmother to an unborn child, AJUMA takes the audience on a journey that explores the sensations and emotions of escape, abuse, love and legacy. AJUMA will also be performed in the gallery of the Yonkers Riverfront Library, April 6th and 7th, with a preview celebrating women's history month at CERES gallery in NYC.

For reservations see www.studiotheaterinexile.com

Studio Theater in Exile was co-founded by Mara Mills and Jeremy Gratt in 2005 after the closing of the Herbert Mark Newman Theater, Pleasantville. The Newman was known for producing original work. Mills and Gratt are carrying on that mission and expanding on it by making the works accessible to the community in public spaces. Studio Theater in Exile develops work with poets, writers, playwrights, theater, and visual artists, integrating art forms and social issue to produce theater that brings the art and community together. Studio Theater in Exile just received an "Opportunity to Grow" grant from the Alliance of Regional Theater/NYSCA for a portable lighting system to enhance their public work.

Katori is a spoken word and visual artist. Katori has performed her poetry throughout Westchester and met Mills at HVMOCA, where they began to work together. Her work as a community artist, with artist Evan Bishop includes "Words of Wisdom" and "Yes, Yonkers", both projects were funded by ArtsWestchester, 100 Words of Wisdom through an Arts Alive grant and the Yes Yonkers project through our Yonkers Arts Initiative grant. Her style is dramatic, humorous, playful, eccentric, and humane. AJUMA is her first full length play.

The cast includes vocalists Vanessa Day and Aramide, dancers Gretchen Simmons, Azaili Wideman, and Sunny Vazquez.