Seattle Central Community College Foundation and the College Success Program present the premiere of “Searching for Normal”
A special benefit performance supporting former foster care youth
Erickson Theatre Off Broadway
May 14 – 17, 2009
SEATTLE — Each year in May, during National Foster Care Month, organizations and communities across the nation host a variety of events that help raise awareness and focus attention on the 513,000 American children and youth in foster care.
From May 14-17 at Erickson Theatre Off Broadway, Seattle Central Community College Foundation and the College Success Program join forces to present the premiere of Searching for Normal, a dramatic portrayal about three young people “aging-out” of foster care. Seattle’s contemporary hip hop band, The Hit Collective, opens each performance. All proceeds benefit the College Success Program in support of former foster care youth.
In Searching for Normal, three troubled young people, Ray, Elly and Jenny struggle with painful childhood experiences that have shaped their lives: abandonment by a father, the loss of a mother to addiction, separation from siblings, abuse, loneliness, homelessness and despair. Terrible memories haunt them, but they begin a journey of introspection as they search for a path to a more hopeful future. In an interesting twist, a chorus appears to lecture the young people, much like the chorus in a Greek tragedy, except this chorus is street-wise. It raps to contemporary music. Come and live a slice of life with those who are “searching for normal.” Note to parents: The play contains language depicting adult situations.
Searching for Normal, directed by Ellen Covey, features Maynard Okereke (Ray), Annie Hughes (Elly), Jesse Roth (Jenny), Ellen Graham (Momma), and rappers Rocky Thanphilom and Jamal Allen. The production team includes: Scott Rice (assistant director), Jamal Allen (music director), Maurice Washington (assistant music director), Burton Yuen (scenic designer), and Ashley Roland (lighting designer). Seattle’s The Hit Collective, featuring Jamal Allen, Maurice Washington, 17-year old Dashara and 10-year old Shunpei opens each performance.
Performances run May 14-16 at 8:00 p.m. and May 17 at 2:00 p.m. at Erickson Theatre Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Avenue. The Benefit Opening Night Performance, emceed by TV personality Tony Ventrella, includes a reception at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the Opening Night Benefit Performance and Red Carpet Reception are $100 and may be reserved online at http://seattlecentral.edu/foundation/benefit.php or by contacting Alison Gooding at (206) 934-5491 or agooding@sccd.ctc.edu. Event sponsorships are available from $500 to $5000.
Tickets for the remaining performances are $15 (general admission) and $10 (students and seniors) and may be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/63639 or at the Erickson Theatre box office one hour before each performance. For further event information, please visit http://seattlecentral.edu/foundation/benefit.php or contact Alison Gooding at (206) 934-5491 or agooding@sccd.ctc.edu.
The public is invited to attend this special open house, featuring a presentation by Schreiber Starling & Lane Architects, Monday, March 23rd from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Seattle Central’s Wood Construction Center, 2310 S. Lane St. Refreshments and Social Hour at 6:00 p.m. For further information, please call (206) 934-5460.
More about the College Success Program
Seattle Central’s College Success Program is changing lives by transforming adversity into hope through higher education for former foster care youth. This program offers students support services and financial assistance critical to their college success. In Washington State there are approximately 2,500 youth who exit (“age-out”) of foster care at age 18 each year. A 2005 study showed that 22 percent of post-foster care youth experienced homelessness, while only half had completed high school or obtained their GED and less than half were employed with 47 percent making wages at or below the poverty line.
From basic needs such as transportation, grocery vouchers and books to counseling and tutoring services, Seattle Central’s College Success students receive the support they need to achieve their college goals and reach their fullest potential. With the generous funding of the Casey Family Programs, this pilot program is changing the lives of approximately 45 Seattle Central students each quarter. To learn more about the College Success Program, please visit: http://seattlecentral.edu/collegesuccess/index.php. General information about Seattle Central Community College can be found at: http://seattlecentral.edu
More about Seattle Central Community College Foundation
The Foundation’s mission is to support Seattle Central students, faculty and programs by raising and providing financial resources to help students achieve their fullest potential through quality education. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit http://seattlecentral.edu/foundation/index.php.