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International Youth Arts Festival in Rose Theatre, UK (FIU’s UK performance of Body & Sold)

July 8, 2011

PRESS RELEASE

Florida Interntional University, Solent University of Southampton, Kingston University, London & International Youth Arts Festival Kingston present “BODY & SOLD”

Actors from three universities representing the US and UK, Florida International UniversitySolent University of Southampton and Kingston University are bringing their hearts, minds and conviction together on stage in a searing docudrama about the unforgiving world of human trafficking. Based on transcripts of several young victims playwright Deborah Fortson has created a riveting piece of multi-media theatre given an intriguing semi-staged presentation under the direction of Phillip M. Church. The play opens at the Marais Theatre, Solent University, Southampton before playing the Rose Theatre, Kingston as part of the 2011 International Youth Arts Festival in Kingston-Upon-Thames.

Providing an interactive element to the project Miami artist Xavier Cortada will produce on-site  “message mural”. The mural comprising six 3’x 4’ panels will be painted with the assistance of students from Kingston’s Tiffin School. Festival visitors will have the opportunity to contribute messages to the mural during its development.

DATES & TIMES:

Marais Theatre, Solent University JULY 6th at 7:00pm. Post-performance talkback with Miami artist Xavier Cortada.

Rose Theatre, IYAF, JULY 8th at 6:00pm. A public forum will be held at 4:00pm with guest panelists and audience discussion.

 Theatre & Visual Art

On January 11th, 2011 Miami artist Xavier Cortada joined  actors from Florida International University and McKinley Tech High School at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC contributing an important layer of expression to the human trafficking project. The wrist-ropes distributed to audience members represent both a metaphor and a sensory experience. It is difficult to escape the obvious connection between rope and the obvious symbolism of bondage and repression yet, conversely, Cortada encourages us to view the rope as a symbol of hope and unity, something by which we are all inextricably tied. If one considers this more positive metaphor we are reminded that along with our connection to each other we have the obligation to support and protect those that live under duress and hardship. Cortada, together with secondary school students in Kingston and Miami Beach, Florida will continue work on a “message mural” which began its journey as a series of quick sketches at the Congressional Briefing on Human
Trafficking in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Conference Room. The interaction that has taken place between performance and visual art has created a compelling synergy, energizing the group’s efforts in its continuing fight against human trafficking.

Cortada directs Engaged Teaching, Scholarship and Creative Activities at FIU’s College of Architecture + The Arts (http://www.carta.fiu.edu/etsca.html)

CONTACTS:

FIU Director – Phillip M. Church. church@fiu.edu Tel: 305-348-3358

Xavier Cortada:  Xavier@cortada.com

Solent University – John Barlow, john.barlow@solent.org.uk  Tickets: Tel: 0238-031-9834

International Youth Arts Festival – Phil Hetherington, Development Manager  phil.hetherington@bt.com Premier PR Judy Lipsey www.premierpr.com 0207 292 8366

Tel: 020-7778-5510

Tickets            : www.kingston.gov.uk (follow “Book it”)

Tel: 020-8547-5417  or in person at Tourist Information Centre, Market House, Market Place, Kingston KT1 1JS

_________

Click here to read about performance at Kennedy Center in Washington, DC on January 11, 2011. (www.xaviercortada.com/event/kennedycenter)

Details

Date:
July 8, 2011

Organizer

Phillip Church
Phone
305-271-1073
Email
churchp@fiu.edu
View Organizer Website

Venue

Rose Theater