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The Ancestors Live Here is an intricately woven urban drama. Johnny, a black youth, is determined to become a statistic. Johnny’s grandmother and his aunt should be the most influential people in his life. However, he cannot come to grips with his family’s strange ways, a family whose greatest desire is to reconnect with their Ghanaian roots. Unfortunately, Johnny is most influenced by his friends. Therefore, he puts himself into the situation of having to make a life altering decision. Will he use his talents to propel him into a successful future or will he use his intellectual prowess to choose the ways of the streets?

BLACK CELEBRITIES DISCOVER THEIR AFRICAN ROOTS DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

THE PLAY THE ANCESTORS LIVE HERE WRITTEN BY SHAHARA RUTH DEMONSTRATES TO BLACK YOUTH HOW NOT KNOWING WHERE THEY COME FROM CAN IMPACT THEIR FUTURES.

Atlanta, GA –

Shahara Ruth, Atlantan, Playwright and founder of Goldfire Productions presents her most recent and highly anticipated theatrical work “The Ancestors Live Here”  during Black History Month on February 13th, 2010 at the 14th Street Playhouse, 173 14th Street, Atlanta, Ga.  The Ancestors Live Here is being performed in part to raise funds in support of The Neighborhood Gallery Arts Center, a safe haven in Atlanta for local fine artists and a positive, enriching, and affordable cultural and educational opportunity for members of the community. Show times for the “Ancestors Live Here” are at 1pm and 8pm. Tickets prices range from $15.00-$30.00. Military, Senior, and Student discounts available.

 

AfricanAncestry.com one of the sponsors of the play has made it possible for two Local Atlanta celebrities Dennis "Spyda" Chism from ESPN's AND1 series and Ronelle Keglar Miss Black Georgia USA 2010  to finally know their African Ancestry.  Their African roots (Country and Tribe) will be revealed to them before the audience just prior to the play.  One audience member will also have an opportunity to discover their African roots preceding the play.

 

E.D.I. Mean member of Outlawz,  a hip hop group founded by the late Tupac Shakur plays the role of DOC, The main character Johnny's mentor in the play.  When E.D.I Mean was asked why he wanted to be a part of the production he said "It's real life!  I have two sons of my own, and I think the message is pertinent to all young black males.  That's the reason I liked it and that's the reason I chose to be involved."

 

The Play is a realistic portrayal of  the lives and experiences had by many African American youth.  The main character  Johnny, a highly intelligent boy is determined to be a statistic. He does everything in his power to be seen as one of the cool kids in the eyes of his peers.  Lacking an active father figure in his life, he aspires to participate in the illegal activities that he believes will bring him the same success and notoriety gained by the older black males in the streets, and on television.   Johnny’s grandmother, and aunt are his guardians and want to be the most influential people in his life, however, he refuses to come to grips with what he feels is his family’s strange customs.  His family's greatest desire is to reconnect with their African roots.  Johnny will have none of that. In Johnny's quest to be admired by his friends, he finds himself in a place where he has to a make very serious life altering decision. Will he use his God given talents to propel him into a successful future or will he use his intellectual prowess to choose the ways of the streets?

For more information visit http://www.goldfireproductions.com/  Advance tickets can be purchased at

http://www.woodruffcentertickets.org/center/ticket/production_detail.aspx?perf=31053.

 

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Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

Miss Black Georgia USA 2010
Dennis "Spyda" Chism
Character Breakdown
Write up
Shahara Ruth Photo

To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 238521



Comments About Shahara's Work!

About the Ancestors Live Here:

"Your work seems so real!" Beatrice, Newton, Georgia

"I can relate to this story as a man growing up!"
Jermaine, Ellenwood, Georgia

"Wow, I couldn't believe how real it was!"
Sheena, Atlanta, Georgia

"You deserve success because your plays entertain and make you think!"
Tuwanda, Stone Mountain, Georgia

"When are you doing this one again? I intend to be there."
Anonymous, Stone Mountain, Georgia

 
“Sis. Shahara, in her poetic creation has exemplified high ideas of love, passion, righteousness, and electricity. She is the genie of poetry and a true wordsmith. I adore your work sister.” Ti-ye Muhammad, Author

She tells her truth – a truth not afraid of offending an audience of any hue. This poet – woman – artist calls her readers to “feeling” with her. Her revolutionary spirit carries a message to care now, about injustice, harm to the children, and life in a world where the threat is too often “Silence the opposition”. Frances Jo Grossman, Ph.D. University College Oglethorpe University

I'm Monita Jenkins, a student at Alabama State University, and I received a copy of "From the Poet to the People" unexpectedly. Once I got into it, I couldn't stop! Ruth's unabashed, bold messages are nothing short of the truth. She keeps it real about government, womanhood, and identity. She keeps it real about blackness, and she doesn't sugar-coat it. I definitely appreciate what she's saying, and if the truth doesn't hurt too much, many others will too. I look forward to hearing more from Shahara Ruth, the truth.

"From the Poet to the People" is a must read. I really enjoyed reading this book of poems. Some of the poems gave me an opportunity to think deeply, while others gave me an opportunity to laugh out loud. "Black" and "Yo Mamma" are two of my favorite poems in the book. "Cooking for Junior" is hilarious. This book of poetry is a reflection of Ms. Ruth's superb linguistic skills, her strong social consciousness, and her determination to communicate the "Truth" to the People. -Evelyn McCoy