[NEohioPAL]Civil Rights/ War on Poverty Panel Sunday, March 16th following In the Blood at Dobama Theatre

[Marjorie Preston, PR/Marketing Director]

Dobama Theatre's In the Blood audience members will be treated to talkbacks
and panels throughout the run of the play.  Call (216) 932-3396 for
reservations and (216) 932-6838 for more information.

In The Blood – Panels: Sunday March 16, 23 and 30 at approximately 5 p.m.

March 16 – Civil Rights/The War on Poverty
Discussion to follow performance of In the Blood, featuring writer Joan
Southgate and actress Stephanie Tolliver.

*Joan Southgate will discuss her walking journey in the path of the heroic
American slave.
*Stephanie Tolliver will discuss the importance of art with social justice
themes.

Thoughts to prepare for Sunday's discussion:
In the 1960’s and 1970’s, the country was moving towards a more integrated
society.  And the ideals of Martin Luther King inspired a generation of
people to advocate not only for Equal Rights, but also for integrated
harmony.  Many scholars argue that today we are more integrated than ever.
However, what impact has this had on the issues surrounding equal rights.
In short, how do we really feel about integration and The Great Society
today?  Have we lost our commitment for forming a more compassionate
society?


Upcoming Panel events at Dobama Theatre's production of In the Blood by
Suzan-Lori Parks:
March 23 – Images in Black and White
Moderator: Dee Perry, WCPN-FM, WVIZ-TV.  Moderated question and answer
period to follow.
Panelists to include: Austen Allen, Interim Dean of First College, Cleveland
State/filmmaker; Plain Dealer Reporter TBD; David Miller, Professor at
MSASS, Case Western Reserve University; Daniel Gray-Kontar, Editor of Urban
Dialect Magazine.

How are minorities, specifically those people who are African-American,
treated in the media?  What does the imagery that is purveyed articulate
about American values?  What assumptions do these images incorporate – not
only on the part of the audiences but also in the intentions of the creator
of a given image?  What is the relationship between stereotype and the six-o
’clock news?  Finally, in this day and age, when many whites are choosing
the homogenous “exerbs” does the media have a responsibility to represent
diverse images?  Why do stereotypical images “sell”?  And why is there a
market?

and on March 30 – Since Welfare Reform
Moderator TBD.  Moderated question and answer period to follow.
Panelists to include: Sister Donna Hawk, Transitional Housing; Ruth Gray,
Executive Director, Empowerment Center of Greater Cleveland; Mick Latkovich,
Vocational Guidance Services; a representative from Neighborhood Centers
Association.

In 1998, the United States passed a series of laws that served, ideally, to
provide a bridge for our country’s poor from “welfare to work.”  The images
that were used to promote these laws were largely of inner-city poor, and
largely of black Americans even though the average welfare recipient is a
white woman who lives in a rural area.  For this event, we will take a look
at the actual results of the laws passed in Ohio.  Statistically, who are
Cleveland’s poorest citizens?  Are more people working?  Are women’s jobs
providing them an adequate income and healthcare for their children?  How
are adults without dependents faring as opposed to those who care for
(sometimes extended) families?  What kinds of support programs have been put
in place for ex-recipients?  What are the present politics of the situation?

Call (216) 932-3396 for reservations and (216) 932-6838 for more
information.

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Dobama Theatre is proud to present In the Blood by Suzan-Lori Parks,
directed by Sonya Robbins.
Featuring RaSheryl McCreary and original music by Bill Ransom
Through March 30
"...a pitch-perfect blend of smoldering naturalism and hissing
stylization..."  Tony Brown, The Plain Dealer
"In an exceptional cast, the standout is Rasheryl McCreary, who is achingly
wounded and relentlessly resilient as Hester."  Christine Howey, Scene

Upcoming productions:
Raised in Captivity
By Nicky Silver, Directed by Russ Borski
April 25-May 18
"Raised in Captivity is about guilt, redemption and self-punishment, and,
against all odds, it is also very funny..."  The New York Times

In the Night Kitchen:
The Punk Project
by David Bell, Chris Johnson and Greg Vovos
Directed by Greg Vovos
May 2-18
Fridays/Saturdays, 11 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m.

THE 25th ANNUAL MARILYN BIANCHI KIDS' PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL
Benefit Night June 5
FREE Performances June 6-8

13th ANNUAL OWEN KELLY ADOPT-A-PLAYWRIGHT PROGRAM
June 27-29

Dobama Theatre is located at 1846 Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights.  For
reservations, call Dobama's box office line: (216) 932-3396.