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A WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL
Created by the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta
Directed by Andrea Frye
Musical Direction by Darius Dixson
Choreography by Chauncey Walker
YEAH! I SAID IT… PREMIERES AT RIALTO CENTER IN AUGUST
The Youth Ensemble of Atlanta highlights its 20th Anniversary
with a brand new world premiere musical.Celebrating their 20th year, the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (YEA) sticks to their tradition of delivering edgy, thought-provoking and inspirational productions with their latest original phenomena, Yeah! I Said It! Set in urban Atlanta, a group of inner city youth are confronted by “visitors of a different sort” as they invade Metro Atlanta’s Transit System—MARTA! Filled with humor, heart-pounding music and wickedly funky choreography, Yeah! I Said It takes you on a ride to remove the barriers to truth and brings our secret issues to the forefront. Performances are August 12-15, 2010 at the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University. YEA will hold our 20th Anniversary Gala in conjunction with the show on Saturday, August 14, with a special reception, anniversary presentation, and silent auction for only $100.
Yeah! I Said It is the ninth company-developed full-length musical drama. YISI marks a new chapter for YEA with ensemble members Darius Dixson and Chauncey Walker leading the music and choreography respectively. The show is directed by award winning actor-director Andrea Frye, who also directed the world premiere of Endangered Species with YEA in 2006. “Yeah! I Said It is daring and edgy with some the best writing the company has produced.” exclaimed Andrea, “No holds are barred and no subject is tiptoed around and best of all its wickedly funny!”
YISI is made possible with our first grant from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. through their signature philanthropy program - Turner Voices. The program brings together Turner's commitment to the communities in which they live and work and their belief in the power of stories to effect positive change in the world. We are thrilled to welcome Turner as a partner not only with their funding, but with their desire to support the work of YEA, to change the community in which we live and to celebrate the youth we know will shape the world to come. "YEA’s dedication to empowering youth through the arts makes them an ideal Turner Voices partner. Yeah! I Said It offers the next generation an expressive and creative outlet for storytelling, and we are thrilled to give our support,” says Kristina Christy, director of Corporate Responsibility at Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
YEA will take a few moments in the middle of this premiere run to celebrate with its 20th Anniversary Gala. Taking place in conjunction with the show, the gala will include special pre and post-show receptions, a YEA tribute honoring actress, activist and national treasure Ruby Dee and silent auction. Gala tickets are only $100 with all proceeds benefitting YEA. General admission tickets will still be available for the performance at regular ticket prices, but will not include access to the gala activities. Gala information and tickets can obtained on the YEA website or by calling 404.652.0515.
Yeah! I Said It is created by the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta with director Andrea Frye. Music and Musical direction is provided by Darius Dixson with Kyle Williams. Choreography is by Chauncey Walker with Charles Bullock. “YEA is ecstatic about this production.” says YEA Executive Director Deborah Barber, “to have two of our current ensemble members take such a leadership role in a production of this magnitude is a reflection of 20 years of artistic growth. I am so proud of these talented young people.”
Yeah! I Said It is also supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Rialto Center for the Arts and Macy’s. Additional support for YEA is provided by the Fulton County Commission under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council, the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly, and the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs.
Performances are August 12-15, 2010 at Georgia State University's Rialto Center for the Performing Arts. Shows are Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 5 PM. Tickets are only $22 ($15 for students). Group discounts are available. GROUP TICKETS ON SALE NOW by calling 404.652.0515 or tickets@youthensemble.org
Youth Ensemble of Atlanta
9 Gammon Avenue | Atlanta, GA 30315
P: 404.652.0515