Centrum Youth Programs

"The Struggle Continues" and "Rhythm Stories"

Theater artist Erwin Thomas, a member of Centrum's core faculty for youth workshops, is currently engaged in a number of projects across the United States, as well as Africa.

He is collaborating as a writer/director's assistant with the St. Paul Community Baptist church in their production of "The Maafa: The Struggle Continues," a production with an all-male cast of people from African descent. The production explores what it means to be both black and male in the United States in 2008, raising questions not just of race, but social identity, opportunities, and questions about the future.

At the same time, Thomas is working in collaboration with the Pure Elements dance company in Brooklyn to develop a production called "Rhythm Stories," a new work about the rich legacy of rhythm and dance within the history of Africans in America.

He has also recently just returned from Cape Town (pictured) and Port Elizabeth, in South Africa, working with the University of Washington's CHID program as a teaching artist. There, he facilitated workhops to aid students in creatively reflecting on and processing their time spent studying, living, and learning about social systems and movements that continue to actively struggle for change.

Jack Kent Cooke Scholarships for 7th Graders

Kristina Johnstone, the Advanced Placement Program Supervisor for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, has asked us to pass along the message to 7th grade students, parents, and educators that the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program application period is now open.  To learn more about the program, view the video located at the foundation's website www.jackkentcookefoundation.org. For more information on scholarships to Centrum programs, visit our scholarship information page.

Diem Chau to Exhibit at OKOK in Seattle

Visual artist and Centrum core youth faculty member Diem Chau will be collaborating with artist Jen Stark on an exhibit in Seattle, February 9 through March 4. If you are in the area (5107 Ballard Ave, NW) stop in and check out the work of these amazing artists!

The week of March 9-14, 2008, Diem Chau, along with dance artist Zoe Scofield, videographer Juniper Shuey, poet Jeannine Hall Gailey, and theater artists Samantha Rund and Erwin Thomas will lead a multidisciplinary workshop for middle school students.