“New plays by kids about urban gardening and local food performed by local adult talents in the next MAP production — What’s Growing?”

(Providence, RI) The Manton Avenue Project (MAP) will stage its next performance, “WHAT’S GROWING? THE FOOD AND GARDEN PLAYS,” November 8-10th. Performances will be at 7pm on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday at 3pm, in the Media and Arts Center at the Met School at 325 Public St. in Providence. The Manton Avenue Project (MAP) is a non-profit organization that unites children living in Providence’s Olneyville neighborhood with local theater professionals to create original plays together. The Manton Avenue Project’s mission is to unleash the creative voices and unique potential of kids living in Olneyville through playmaking. Each of MAP’s out-of-school time programs is focused on playwriting and mentorship culminating in performance.

“WHAT’S GROWING? THE FOOD AND GARDEN PLAYS,” is the culminating performance of The Manton Avenue Project’s Play-It-Again program, a 6-week playwriting class held at MAP’s new Clubhouse in Olneyville. Nine young playwrights, each in the 4th grade, have written ten-minute plays. The resulting production will be directed and performed by the wonderful talents of local adult theatre artists. The theme of the plays is urban gardening and local food. The Manton Avenue Project is partnering with the Southside Community Land Trust and the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council for this program.

“We are thrilled to present WHAT’S GROWING? THE FOOD AND GARDEN PLAYS! This production is a culmination of an exciting process for the young people in our Play-It-Again class, after planting and tending their very own community garden plot and learning from experts in the field, their imaginative characters and stories will come to life on stage to the delight of audiences of all ages,” says Artistic Director Meg Sullivan. “Our goal is to show Olneyville kids the value of their voices and, through the long-term commitment that MAP makes to each young person, help them reach their full potential as creative thinkers and leaders in their community.”

This is the first production of The Manton Avenue Project’s 2013-14 season, which is supported by a general operating grant from The Rhode Island Council on the Arts, Citizens Bank, the Katherine Baker Charitable Trust, as well as many individual and corporate donors.

Tickets are free, but donations are encouraged. For reservations, call (401) 331-7007. For more information about the Project, go to www.mantonavenueproject.org.