In My Granny’sGarden

Review by Mariah L. Richardson

In a time where we are experiencing baby food shortages, slowed shipping, and drought due to climate change theatre is lighting a way to a possible solution to some of these issues. That solution is to grow your own food. Now this is a concept that has been pushed in recent decades. You find urban farms popping up all over the country. During the height of the pandemic more and more people began to garden.

Theatre is not the usual place that you would hear about gardening and growing your own food, but Metro Theater Company talks about just that. In a new play, In My Granny’s Garden, a work inspired by the children’s book of the same title by playwright and author Pearl Cleage and her husband, writer-director Zaron W. Burnett, Jr. The play is a lovely interactive work that is geared for the smallest of our community, 0–6-year-olds. It is a combination of group participation, scavenger hunt, and musical theatre. The wee ones sit on their socially distanced patch of green grass with their adults. Then they are asked to the stage to help plant seeds, find sprouts, and pick vegetables when it is time to harvest. As they “play” in this play they are also learning about the journey of how food gets from farm onto their dinner tables.

Directed by Rosemary Newcott, it is performed by an inviting and energetic cast consisting of Alicia Reve’ Like (Granny), Jenise Sheppard (Riza), Camille Sharp (Miss Mamille) and rounded out with the musical compositions written and performed by Colin McLaughlin and Syreah Conaway. It is a delight to watch the little ones dance and move to the music and eagerly pull weeds and water sprouts and then pick and wash their vegetables. It is no easy feat to engage this young of an audience but, Metro has been creating and performing successfully for this demographic for about 15 years. The company has been creating and producing and performing theatre for young audiences for 50 years.

So, if you are looking for an impactful and engaging show for your little ones then please check out In My granny’s Garden. It is a lot of fun, and the kids will love it. I watched it at the performance space at Metro, but they are taking it on the road to other family partners and to real working farms.

WHERE:

May 13-16: Metro Theater Company Studio (3311 Washington Ave, St. Louis)

May 20-23: Better Family Life (5415 Page Blvd, St. Louis)

June 3-12: EarthDance Organic Farm School (233 S. Dade Ave, Ferguson)

June 16-26: Eckert’s Belleville Farm (951 S. Green Mt Rd, Belleville, IL)

*Performances on June 10 at 4 p.m. and June 19 at 10 a.m. include audio description by MindsEye.

WHEN:

May 13 – June 26, 2022

Fridays at 4 p.m.

Saturdays at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m.

Sundays at 2 p.m., 4 p.m.

Additional weekday morning performances offered May 16 & 23 and June 8, 9, 16 & 23 at 10 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.

TICKETS:

Pods for 2-6 people start at $48

Online virtual streaming begins at $20 and available June 1-26 through the MTC website https://www.metroplays. org/garden. (The video for the virtual streaming is from a filmed May performance.)

PAY-WHAT-YOU-WISH TICKETS:

Metro Theater Company is committed to ensure that economic barriers do not prevent families from experiencing its programs. MTC is offering Pay-WhatYou-Wish tickets for live performances and virtual streaming on these dates:

May 13 & 20 at 4pm

May 21 at 10am, 11:30am & 2pm

June 3 & 17 at 4 pm

More information at https://www.metroplays.org/garden

COVID-19 SAFETY: Metro Theater Company has been approved as Missouri ArtSafe Certified. MTC continues to update its policies to protect all patrons from COVID-19 exposure risks. For In My Granny’s Garden, the following safety measures apply:

• Medically eligible guests ages 12+ must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and will be asked to show proof of vaccination.

• Unvaccinated patrons ages 12+ with documented medical conditions must be able to provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance or a negative antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance

• Mask wearing is required at indoors performances at Metro Theater Company Studio and Better Family Life.

• Masks are not required while seated in purchased pods during open air performances at EarthDance Farms and Eckert’s Belleville Farm.

For more detailed information on Metro Theater Company’s COVID health policies, please visit metroplays.org/covid

WHO'S READY FOR SOME SUMMER FUN IN ST. LOUIS?

St. Louis comes alive in spring and summer. You never have to look far to find folks who are thrilled to be outside getting up close to some truly unique events. StLouisArts.org can help you find your vibe this summer.

The long, sunny days send good vibes throughout the entire community. Whether you feel like a picnic in the park at sunset during the Shakespeare Festival, shopping an amazing artist market while sipping a local beer, or making memories at a stellar music festival, May to September in STL has it all.

As the weather warms up, dip your toes into the local arts scene with these unforgettable experiences.

CHECK IT OUT!

Counterpublic Brings National Attention to St. Louis Arts and Culture Sector

Counterpublic 2023 is one of the nation’s largest public art platforms, bringing 30+ new artist commissions to life in public parks, gardens, historic houses and museums around the city. Free art installations, performances, screenings, conversations and parties will animate the six miles of Jefferson Avenue with art and stories.

The RACSTL-supported civic exhibition, which runs until July 15, 2023, has been gaining a lot of national attention - putting St. Louis on the map as a place where the arts are appreciated and celebrated.

Forbes - Counterpublic 2023 Triennial Brings

America To St. Louis, And Takes St. Louis To America

The Guardian - Six miles of American questions: An ambitious art exhibition pushes boundaries

Artnet - Counterpublic’s 2023 Exhibition in St. Louis

Shakes Up the Formulaic—and Often Problematic—

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RAC Grants Update

As the 2023 grants season progresses, we wanted to thank all those who applied for the Artist Support and Program Support Grants as well as those who applied to serve as grant reviewers!

As a reminder, here are few key dates:

- 5/8 - 5/12: RAC Staff Rating Analysis

- 5/15 - 5/26: Panel Meetings

- 5/30: Staff Finalizes Ratings

- 6/8: Commission Votes on Grant Awards

- 6/8 & 6/9: Grant Award Announcements

Check the full timelines for Artists Support Grants and Program Support Grants

RAC Grants Update

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6128 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112 (314) 863-5811

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VIEW SPOTLIGHT www.the-arts-today.com

In 2013, a tax credit for movie producers to film in Missouri expired. Since that time, Missouri has seen projects like Ozark, Sharp Objects, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri filmed outside the state.

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The Moline Acres Police Department College Scholarship Program wishes to acknowledge some of the students in our city that have accepted the promise of a college scholarship for accomplishing the following criteria:

1. 95 percent school attendance

2. 3.3 or better cumulative grade average

3. 22 or better composite ACT score

4. No major discipline problems

Through our mentorship program with Infinite Scholars, the Moline Acres Police Department wishes to help fulfill the hopes and dreams of families in our community wishing to send their children to college. The Infinite Scholars program uses it extensive nationwide network of 500+ colleges and univers ities to find a college scholarship for students who achieve the criteria above. The Moline Acres Police Department is committed to helping our students accomplish these criteria. The motto for this program is “Our Badges Create Scholars. ”

Moline Acres is located in North St. Louis County, Missouri To learn more, contact the Moline Acres Police Department at 314-868-2433 or Infinite Scholars at 314-499-6997.