HARTFORD, CT, -- A unique celebration of Black History Month will once again take place at The Learning Corridor in Hartford, February 4-7, with the musical production of “Writing Pictures: The Harriet Beecher Stowe Experience.” The production's original script and score have been created, and will be performed, by 25 students of the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, one of four schools at The Learning Corridor. The event celebrates the 150 th anniversary of the publication of “Uncle Tom's Cabin” and is co-produced by the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford .
           “This is a unique and significantly different project,” remarked Mary Ellen, Public Relations & Marketing for the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center . “I know of no other performance or artistic rendition of Stowe's masterpiece which is as original or special as this production. The students make the difference. Their deep, personal contribution and amazing creativity make this an extraordinary celebration of Black History Month.”
           Representing a diversity of high school students from the greater Hartford area, the 25 cast members created “Writing Pictures” through many hours of discussion, improvisation, free writing and research. After a class assignment to read “Uncle Tom's Cabin” and a two-month workshop, the students presented public readings of the show during December. The readings were followed by a Question & Answer session with the audience, which encompassed ideas and questions on current issues of racism and diversity. The students used these exchanges to help create the final script and score. It's been an extraordinary journey, from idea to fully staged musical.
          “Audiences who witnessed these powerful readings and participated in the Q&A watched with intensity and even shed tears as these high school students sang songs and read poetry depicting Harriet Beecher Stowe's struggles,” said Mark Wilson, director. “The show is simply extraordinary. Using Stowe's experience, it evokes our own profound feelings about diversity and racism which are then magically wedded into a fantastic, artistic production.” Assisting Wilson in the “Writing Pictures” production were Matt Farrell, assistant director, and Jason Paige, a New York-based musical director.
          Performances will be held at the Theater of the Performing Arts, 359 Washington Street , Hartford , with two student matinees February 4 & 5 at 1:30pm and two evening performances on February 6 & 7 at 7:30pm . For tickets and information, please call the Theater Box Office, (860) 757-6388. A Q&A session will follow each performance for those wishing to participate. The show is sponsored in part by The Hartford.
          The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and the Theater of the Performing Arts are programs of the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) and are located at The Learning Corridor, 43 Vernon Street , Hartford , CT 06106 .