WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Westco Productions. February 10, 2007: Westco Productions, Westchester County's vibrant and growing multi-media impresarios will present a musical performance of an original show called “From Roots To Rap” at Thomas H. Slater Center in White Plains February 22 at 7 PM featuring 23 children ages 8-13 from low-income families in White Plains. The performance is the culmination of eight weeks of preparation and rehearsal. It is part of Westco’s ‘Page To Stage’ program, an after-school cultural arts/literacy assistance workshop for disadvantaged children. The program’s intent is to aid children in learning words, reading, memorization, and self-confidence through the vehicle of theater.
“From Roots To Rap,” traces music history from early African rhythms to present day popular music. During the course of rehearsals, the children learned about various writers and artists, their biographies and the techniques they used. They also read and learned about the relevance of music during the time of slavery and how rhythm and blues influenced the American music scene during the 20's and 30's. Diane Hadley is the Director with Musical Direction by Rev. Frozine Smith and Choreography by Min. Virginia Young. Stage Manager/Historian is Dr. Alvin Pulliam.
The performance will take place on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 7:00 pm at The Thomas H. Slater Center, 2 Fisher Court, White Plains and is free to the public.
The program is made possible through grants from The Edith Glick Shoolman Children’s Foundation and The Paul & Harriet Weissman Family Foundation. For information on Page To Stage or any of Westco’s other programs call 914-761-7463 or visit their website at www.westcoproductions.org.
