The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) has begun production of Dennis Foon’s theatrical SKIN, announced Sandra Henriquez, Administrator of the Boston Housing Authority.

In this exciting production, the issues of race discrimination and acceptance play a major theme as delicate and often unspoken social stereotypes are interpreted through the eyes and hearts of the young cast members. Local youth, ages 12-18, from neighborhoods throughout the city will present an unforgettable artistic display of tolerance, growth, and redemption. About half of the youth cast are BHA residents, while the other half live near BHA developments. Two cast members are the children of BHA staff.

“I am very pleased to announce this new endeavor by the BHA,” said Henriquez. “This effort represents yet another milestone in the BHA’s efforts to bring residents together and develop better understanding of our differences and similarities through various forms of diversity activities.”

Staff in the BHA’s Civil Rights Department chose to launch a “Diversity Theatre” program and produce the play as a fun and creative way to educate youth and BHA residents about diversity issues within their communities. SKIN will be the Diversity Theatre’s first production.

“There is something powerful about a live performance, both for the audience and the actors and we hope to reach our residents through the hard work of the young performers,” said Dawn Hadley, Civil Rights Specialist and Co-Producer/Director of SKIN. “The performers, their families and friends, and residents will gain deeper respect and understanding of differences as well as an appreciation of the many things we have in common.”

In addition to honing their acting skills, youth involved in the production are receiving training on theatre development, diversity issues and team building. Each rehearsal incorporates activities and homework that develop the youths’ understanding in these three areas. The rehearsal schedule is demanding, and the cast members are committed to three two-hour rehearsals per week.

“Local area teenagers, many of whom live in BHA housing have committed themselves to an educational performance, focusing on race relations, that is sure to challenge the mind and soul,” said Michelle Ekanem, BHA Civil Rights Specialist and Co-Producer/Director of SKIN.

Cast members include youth from Roxbury, Charlestown, Mattapan, Roslindale, Dorchester and one youth from Lexington.

The performance date for SKIN is December 6, 2002 at 7:00pm at the Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Road, Dorchester, Massachusetts. Free parking is available. Admission is free.

SKIN by Dennis Foon was developed through Project One, a series of race relation workshops co-sponsored by the Vancouver East Cultural Centre, and was first produced by Green Thumb Theatre for Young People.

Programs of the M. Harriet McCormack Center for the Arts/Strand Theatre are made possible in part, with funds from the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Boston Council for the Arts and Humanities, the Boston Foundation, the Riley Foundation, the Hyams Foundation, the New England Foundations for the Arts and Fleet Bank.