Saint Paul Public Schools students perform award-winning creation

Media Advisory
Office of Community Relations
Contact: Howie Padilla - (651) 767-8104

May 12, 2008

Saint Paul, Minn – A troupe of Saint Paul Public Schools students is set to perform its award-winning, student-created plays for primetime audiences beginning Friday, May 16, 2008. The Central High School-based Central Touring Theater (CTT) will perform “We Are Called To Speak” and “Seeds Of Change”.

What: CTT’s performances of “Seeds of Change” and “We Are Called To Speak”
When: Friday, May 16, 2008 at 8 p.m., and; Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Where: Concordia University’s E.M. Pearson Theater, 312 Hamline Ave., Saint Paul, MN - Admission: $5

“We Are Called To Speak” follows the story of a young man who tries to encourage his younger brother to stay in school by connecting issues that face Minnesota teens to global issues. “Seeds Of Change” was developed through a series of personal interviews and reflections with African American male students. It is both a production and a support network that aims to lower the achievement gap between African American males and other student groups. The performance addresses these issues in poignant and thought provoking acts

CTT was founded 30 years ago as a safe space for youth to explore artistic expression as a powerful and meaningful force in the world. Theater company members are from a variety of racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. They engage in vigorous theater training that helps them to learn about each other and to transform their communities.

CTT has performed for more than 10,000 of people this year and was honored for its work when “Seeds Of Change” earned the 2008 AARP Ethel Percy Legacy Award for Innovation, which recognizes public high school programs that have either fostered greater intergenerational understanding or enhanced civic engagement between the school and its community.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information on the Central Touring Theater or the performances, please contact Jan Mandell at (651) 210-9635 of by e-mail at janice.mandell@spps.org.