MIXED by Jennifer George: Detroit Debut

“mixed”

a play by Jennifer George

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Beverly Lyons Jennifer George

PR Strategies “mixed”

(248) 360-9515 (248) 591-0337

blyons@comcast.net jengeorge@wayne.edu

NEW PLAY BY FERNDALE RESIDENT

TACKLES RACE, DIVERSITY, MULTI-ETHNICITY

DETROIT, Mich., (January 24, 2007) – Acceptance, unity, discrimination, privilege, ignorance, hope and healing – a new, locally created theatrical production, aptly titled “mixed”, tackles these and a varying assortment of other complex issues of diversity

and ethnicity.

Written, directed and produced by Ferndale resident and Wayne State University Theatre alumna Jennifer George, “mixed” is a thought-provoking, provocative play dealing with bi-racial identity, discrimination, anti-racism, abandonment and other such universal and time transcending themes. “mixed”, which marks George’s debut in the role of writer, director and producer of a theatrical production, will premiere in Detroit on Friday, February 23, during Black History Month.

Presented in three acts, “mixed” begins each act with a scene depicting three generations of African American women in the post Civil War South as they unveil their stories and secrets before the audience. Thereafter, the play alternates between ensemble scenes, which deal with issues of contemporary society, and character monologues. One ensemble scene, called Daddy, speaks to the father crisis in America, while another titled, It’s Time, calls for social advancement.

George, herself a product of a mixed-ethnicity household, hopes her play will serve as a springboard for creating more dialogue about race and diversity. ”It may not address all the issues, but hopefully “mixed” will prompt people to talk more freely and openly about this important subject,” she said.

-more-

New Play by Ferndale Resident – Page 2

Born in Granada, Spain to a Chaldean father and a third-generation Polish, Irish, Scottish mother, George, 37, was reared and educated mostly in metro-Detroit. She attended Wayne State University, earning a degree in theatre arts, and later returned to Europe where she studied acting, writing and directing at the La Sorbonne, in Paris, France.

George says her own childhood experience -- living between divorced parents, being of mixed ethnicity and diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and having experienced different cultures – was the impetus for pursuing this subject. Further fueling her interest were many frank discussions about racism with a diverse circle of friends, and the strong belief that there was a need for a more direct treatment of racism in film and the theatre.

Like Playwright and Poet Bertolt Brecht, who espoused the philosophy that theatre should not merely represent the world, but can and should, change the world, George hopes her new play, will motivate people to change the way they feel and think.

“I believe we have made great technological advancements in society, but comparatively little advancement socially,” said George. “I think that, on the whole, we can be better and do better.”

“mixed” runs through March 11 at the Boll Family YMCA Theatre, a 140-seat venue located at 1401 Broadway. Shows will be presented every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and $18 for senior citizens and students. For ticket information, call the Boll Family YMCA box office at (313) 309-9622 or visit www.ymcametrodetroit.org.

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