South Side students from all cultures sought for Gitana Production’s free “Global Education through the Arts” program
February 20, 2009

ST. LOUIS, MO – Gitana Productions, Inc., a well-known arts organization that produces theater, music and dance events, is reaching out to youth from all cultures in the South City area for the second season of “Global Education Through the Arts.” The free 16-week, intercultural after-school program for youth ages 12 to 18 will give youth the opportunity to be involved in a film, participate in a professional production and tour St. Louis. Registration is February 28 at 10 a.m. at the St. Louis Public Library’s Carpenter Branch, 3309 South Grand Blvd. Students in last year’s program performed in Gitana’s Kevin Kline Awards nominated production “Complacency of Silence: Darfur.”

“We bring students out of their usual environments and introduce them to a variety of cultures,’ said Cecila Nadal, executive director of Gitana Productions. “They’ll have an opportunity to develop leadership skills and perform onstage.

Twenty-Five students will be accepted in this year’s first 16-week session.  Students of all ethnic backgrounds and cultures are encouraged to enroll. Workshops will be held on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with lunch provided. Transportation assistance is available to those who qualify. For more information or to register, call 314-721-6556.

Seven different countries are represented in the program and everyone is welcome. Hispanic, Bosnian, Vietnamese and Afghani youth are especially encouraged to apply for the upcoming session.

“Global Education Through the Arts” promotes intercultural competence among economically challenged local and new immigrant youth living in South St. Louis city.  The program will involve 25 ethnically diverse youth in dance, poetry, drama and cultural diversity training to cultivate social skills, team building, cross-cultural communication and conflict resolution. Professional actors and dancers will instruct and mentor the students.

“For a lot of these students, ‘Global Education Through the Arts’ is exactly the kind of exposure and experience they need to be accepted into the college or university they dream about,” said Nadal. “This program allows them to interact with students of so many different backgrounds. They learn to relate to people outside of their own neighborhoods, they learn how to express themselves and how to lead. These skills are priceless and a key step in helping them compete in a global economy.”

Opportunities abound for students who excel in the program. Some will help produce and even appear in Gitana’s upcoming, original theatrical production “My Heart is Always Shaking: Afghan Women Refugees in St. Louis.” Others will have the chance to appear in an upcoming film or tour with S2G Performers, a touring youth group that travels throughout the city of St. Louis offering a music, dance and drama presentation on citizenship and culture. S2G represents the students’ journey, Southside to global.

“Many local and immigrant students have had exceedingly difficult life experiences,” Nadal said. “Learning to express themselves through dance, song or any type of performance can be very therapeutic. And discovering that they have a talent that will help them achieve their goals is a great confidence booster and motivator.”

Monsanto Fund has awarded a $15,000 grant to Gitana Productions to fund the program which allows “Global Education Through the Arts” to be offered to students at no cost.  Additional funders include the Regional Arts Commission, Missouri Arts Council, St. Louis Philanthropic, the Arts and Education Council of St. Louis and Boeing Employee’s Charitable Trust.

Gitana Productions, Inc. is a not-for-profit arts and education organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural awareness and collaboration by bringing international music, dance and drama to the St. Louis community. Since 1997 Gitana events present a rarely seen diversity of international and local artists exhibiting an array of traditional and innovative artistic expressions. Gitana Production’s first theatrical production has been nominated for five Kevin Kline Awards. For more information, visit www.gitana-inc.org or call Gitana Productions at (314) 721-6556.