Local children perform play as a creative and peaceful response to the violence in their neighborhoods and across the globe

Local ministries collaborate with children from Center Township to create and perform play as tribute to slain friends and relatives DATE / TIME:
Friday, August 10 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 11 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 12 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

LOCATION:
Englewood Christian Church, 57 N Rural St.

PRICE:
Free admission. Ethiopian cuisine will be available for $7. Proceeds and donations will support the Felege Hiywot Center’s work with the children of Indianapolis and the orphans of Ethiopia.

CONTACT:
For event information, contact Aster Bekele at (317) 545-2245.

DETAILS:
INDIANAPOLIS- Nearly a dozen inner-city children, with the support of several local ministries, are using theatre as a platform to address the fear, anger, frustration and hope of children living in a violent world. On August 10-12, the children from the Felege Hiywot Center will perform their own original play, "A Song for Peace."

"A Song for Peace" tells the story of Elijah, a young man whose dreams of a prestigious music career are nearly destroyed by the effects of by inner-city violence. He becomes pen pals with an Ethiopian orphan boy living on the other side of the globe who is also struggling with violence as he is forced to fight in civil wars as a child soldier. These two young boys discover their connection through the letters they write to each other and develop a friendship that sustains them through difficult times as they both hope for a non-violent future.

Dija Henry, writer/director of the production, says the play is a look at life from both the local perspective of a pre-teen living in inner-city Indianapolis and the global perspective of a child living amidst the violence of rural Ethiopia.

"With this play we are teaching the children how to use art as a way to speak out about what is happening to them and other children in the community." says Henry.

The play is being dedicated to the memory of Alex Anthony, the young Indianapolis boy who died on September 18, 2006 after being shot by a stray bullet. Before his death, Alex was involved with the activities of the Felege Hiywot Center.

Event sponsors include the Felege Hiywot Center, Community Health Network, Project Safe Neighborhoods, Englewood Christian Church, Joy of All Who Sorrow Orthodox Church, and Great Light Church and the Christian Institute of the Arts.

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