Flyer for Rha Goddess and "LOW"

I wanted to alert you to an amazing performance called "Low" about mental illness by hip hop artist Rha Goddess at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at U of Maryland, October 15-18. The goal of the show is address issues of stigma and mental illness, esp. in communities of color, and to motivate people to take positive action.

The show starts at 8:00 PM but on Oct. 15 there will also be a pre-performance dialogue about mental health as well as a post-performance dialogue with Rha about the performance's impact, etc. Here is the link to info about the performance and purchasing tickets: http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu/2007/c/performances/performance?rowid=7404.

I saw this performance in NYC two years ago...it is extremely powerful and built from Rha's own family experience. Apart from her work on this show, Rha is also actively engaged in work with young women of color (ages 18-35) around leadership development and empowerment. Below is the promo about the show for those of you who don't know about her work….hope you can see her next month! Best, Mary

Rha Goddess: Low

Part I of the Meditations Trilogy

Linguistic brilliance, hip-hop rhythms and unflinching honesty characterize the work of Rha Goddess — artist, writer, poet and social activist. In LOW: Part I of the Meditations Trilogy, she poses the question, "What is insanity?" This 75-minute, solo theater piece explores the mythology, stigma, fear and confusion surrounding mental illness through the story of Lowquesha, a vibrant young woman who takes the all-too-common journey through the mental health system. LOW is a riveting portrayal that is furious, funny, dark and hopeful. Brilliantly staged and directed by Chay Yew, it offers up an equal dose of laughter, outrage and compassion.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

Mary Blake

Public Health Advisor

SAMHSA/CMHS/DSSI/Commmunity Support Programs Branch

One Choke Cherry Rd., Room 6-1020

Rockville, MD 20857

Tel: 240-276-1747

Fax: 240-276-1970

-----Original Message-----

From: jalewis@

Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 12:28 PM

To: Blake, Mary (SAMHSA/CMHS)

Subject: Flyer for Rha Goddess and "LOW"

Hi Mary,

Good to speak with you today. Attached is a PDF flyer of what is happening on campus with Rha. Feel free to forward. Thanks much,

--

Jermaine Lewis

Assistant Manager

Cultural Participation

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

University of Maryland

College Park, MD 20742-1625

301-405-8172

fax: 301-405-5977

www.claricesmithcenter.umd.edu