What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1495137
MONICA HOOPER NWA Democrat-Gazette I n the classic story of "The Jungle Book," Mowgli learns that "the strength of the jungle is us, and the strength of us is the jungle," not only to survive but to defeat Shere Khan. In that spirit, Trike Theatre, Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation and Megha Rao of Dhirana Academy of Classical Dance are joining together to bring a unique night of classical Indian dance and traditional Western theater to the Walton Arts Center with a production of "The Jungle Book." The collaboration marks an opportunity for culturally different groups to come together and create a diverse community of people. "We are so much richer as a community when we work and play and create together," says Kassie Misiewicz, founder and artistic director of Trike Theatre. She points out that while kids in school get a chance to interact often with other cultures, that isn't always the case for adults and families. "It's important for us to come together in these opportunities that invite us to feel like we belong to our community, our whole community, because we are stronger when we are all together as opposed to individuals," Misiewicz adds. Megha Rao of Dhirana, who directs the choreography, echoes that sentiment by pointing out how the different groups for this production must go beyond simply working together. For a "production of this magnitude to be successful, they have to bond with each other. And that bonding is created and developed through the process of rehearsal and practice and understanding each other — building that rapport between each other," Rao says. "Bonding with each other is the key here." The idea for this collaboration was inspired first by a friendship between Misiewicz and Srividya Venkatasubramanya of Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation. "Srividya and I have known each other for a number of years; our kids both went to the same elementary school," Misiewicz explains. "When Srividya started Ra-Ve, they were looking into community partnerships. And at that point in time, I was also looking into shows and partnerships so that we could be reaching a diverse audience — knowing that our community of folks from India was 4 What's up! March 19-25, 2023 Faq 'The Jungle Book' See Jungle Book Page 38 'The Strength Of Us' 'Jungle Book' a multicultural collaboration "The Jungle Book," presented by trike theatre, ra-Ve cultural Foundation and Dhirana Dance, will be on stage at 4 p.m. March 25 at Baum Walker hall at Walton arts center. tickets are $15. (courtesy photos) WHaT — "The strength of the jungle is us, and the strength of us is the jungle." Deep in an Indian jungle skulks the tiger Shere Khan. Mowgli, a human girl, must learn the language of the jungle to face this fierce hunter down. An original adaptation of this well-known story, "The Jungle Book" mixes theatrical storytelling with classical Indian dance. A collaboration of Trike Theatre, Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation and Megha Rao of Dhirana Dance, this performance features youth actors and dancers amid profes- sional adult actors. WHEN — 4 p.m. March 25 WHERE — Baum Walker Hall at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville COST — $15 INFO — waltonartscenter.org/tickets/series/fami- ly-fun-series/the-jungle-book. FAyeTTeVIlle