"Elementary School Pays Tribute to Black History Month with West African Adaptation of Cinderella"

Feb. 2, 2009 - PRLog -- (Sandy Springs, GA)-Woodland Elementary Charter School (WECS) under the leadership of Dr. Ruth Baskerville, proudly announces its theater production of “SALA CINDERELLA” a West African fairytale, Tuesday, February 10th at 6pm. This special presentation based on the European classic is open to the public and kicks off WEC’s 2nd Annual Black History Celebration.

   Written by award winning actress and producer, Karen Jones Meadows, and directed by Pamela-Faith Jackson in association with F.A.A.M.E. ARTS, “SALA CINDERELLA” is an adaptation steeped in African tradition that incorporates West African fable and folklore qualities. “It is such a touching story”, Ms. Jackson reflects. “I expect our audience to really enjoy themselves. This production from our Woodland Ensemble Company is like a pop-up book coming to life spilling color and animation all over the audience.”

   In Meadows’ version, the “SALA CINDERELLA” characters seem to travel further and deeper than those that we remembered. Here, Meadows explores themes of inner struggle and the definition of self through faith and positive affirmation in the face of persecution and wrong doings. “Not only does it have a great message” continues Jackson, but the personification of a branch, a boat, animals and a mystical star captures the imagination in all of us making it fun to watch, regardless of age.”

   SALA’s celebrated playwright, Karen Jones Meadows, writes for adult and young audiences alike and her plays have been performed in prestigious venues such as Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Negro Ensemble Company in New York, and the Doris Duke Theatre in Hawaii. Meadows has also produced for Comedy Central and Fox Television. Her various works have earned her numerous accolades and awards including The Drama League of New York Playwright Award and The Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.

   It was through the Association of International Schools in Africa that Ms. Meadows toured the Ivory Coast, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and South Africa as a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator training administrators and teachers through hands-on activities in the use and power of drama curriculums in schools.

   Tickets for “SALA CINDERELLA” are $3 and can be purchased at the door. Showtime is at 6pm. Woodland Elementary Charter is located at 1130 Spalding Drive, Sandy Springs Georgia, 30350. For more information or directions, please call 770-551-5890.

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SALA CINDERELLA features Kia Jie Jacobs (SALA), whose credits include Cartoon Network, and Theatre of the Stars, Michae Jones (NJERI), Karina Norton (TYI), Shauna Burke (YAA), Gianna Scerbo (BOAT), Gabrielle Armstrong (BRANCH), Nicholas Wright (ELEPHANT), and Jaelin Hakim (Mutope). The show will spotlight dancers from the Woodland Ensemble Company dance team under the direction of Emry Walker and Nelsenia Harrison, as well as, a drum core lead by Maggie Sherwood. Twelve of these Woodland Ensemble Company drama club members are simultaneously practicing for the upcoming North Springs High School production of the WIZARD OF OZ scheduled for March. Our talented design team includes Brad McWhorter (lighting); Malessa Devlin and Charles Wicks (set); and Evelyn Cox and Nancy Gersten (costume).