*Info provided by Heidi Johnson
Gloria Rogers is proud to announce a performance of “Wake Up and Pay Attention,” a play that addresses critical issues facing Milwaukee.
What: “Wake up and Pay Attention” confronts issues facing Milwaukee’s Black and Brown communities through story, song, and dance.
When: April 27, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Marshall High School, 4141 N 64th St., Milwaukee
How: Attendees can purchase tickets online at Eventbrite or at the door for $15. Children under 6 will receive free admission.
“Wake Up and Pay Attention” follows several families struggling with unemployment, addiction, abuse, suicide, teen pregnancy, AIDS, and generational trauma. The show’s storyline is punctuated by dance numbers, spoken word, and even brief monologues that break the third wall so cast members can speak heartfelt messages directly to the audience.
The show is based largely on the personal experiences of its writer and director, Gloria Rogers, and members of the show’s ensemble cast; it was recently recognized by the Milwaukee Public School (MPS) Board of Directors for the important voice it offers MPS students.
“Wake Up and Pay Attention” is an honest and complex look at challenges facing our community. The show confronts painful realities, yet celebrates the resilience of children and families determined to find love and strength in each other.
Over 360 hours of nonviolence work have gone into the choreography, blocking, and rehearsals for the show. The show’s cast features approximately 50 MPSstudents and community members, ranging in age from 5 to 60.
The show’s director and several student actors will be available for comments before the show. The show will be introduced by MPS Board Vice President Sequanna Taylor and Pastor Walter L. Fields of Milwaukee’s St. Paul Church of God in Christ.
About Gloria Rogers
Gloria Rogers, author and director of “Wake Up and Pay Attention,” hails from Milwaukee and has worked for Milwaukee Public Schools for over two and a half decades. She is committed to improving the lives of MPS students and parents to create a safer and more prosperous Milwaukee community. She also teaches at Milwaukee Area Technical College and is a long-standing member of St. Paul Church of God in Christ, one of the show’s sponsors.
