In the summer of 2011, ASTEP Volunteer Teaching Artist, Meera Kumbhani, wrote a one-act play titled, Journey to College. It was performed at the final performance of ASTEP’s Art-in-Action summer camp by Loni Mbele, Jairo Avila, and Ashley Perez. The piece highlights the challenges encountered by a diverse cross-section of youth in South Florida in their efforts to go and stay in college. A college sophomore seeking leniency from probation; a high school senior hoping her mom will support her aspirations; and a college junior demanding that more be done to educate students about what it takes to go to college.
Thanks to a grant by the Florida College Access Network, Journey To College has been performed six times since the summer of 2011. Aside from the initial performance during Art-In-Action, the piece was performed for School Board members, the Homestead City Council, and other visiting non-profit directors. The performance has been received positively by all of its audiences and has found new life thanks to a grant from the Florida College Access Network. ASTEP and enFAMILIA have recruited a new company of performers from the community of youth we work with! The grant will also go to funding a translation of the play into Spanish, and 3 performances (both English and Spanish) between November and March of 2013.
The following videos capture the transformative days of rehearsals.
Rehearsal 1:
Rehearsal 2:
Rehearsal: 3
Love what is being done with this group and journey to college play, outstanding! Bringing it to the next level
Thanks for commenting, Erica! We’re excited that the students are bringing so much energy and commitment to rehearsals. Looking forward to the final performances!