ST. LOUIS, MO - A startling production about how domestic violence in South Asia follows immigrants to America and is exacerbated by isolation debuts at Cardinal Regali Center on May 20 with nine performances through June 5, 2011. Gitana Productions Inc. will present "FAULTLINES" an original script by Lee Patton Chiles that follows the journey of a South Asian family that comes to America.
"Faultlines,?follows a new bride as she leaves India, comes to America, and becomes a victim of domestic abuse. Isolated and alone with a husband she barely knows, she becomes trapped between the world she knew and her new homeland. Gitana's three previous theatrical productions, also written by Chiles, have been nominated for seven prestigious Kevin Kline Awards.
In the U.S., one of every four women experiences domestic violence in her lifetime, and the numbers are much higher for South Asian women. This year, several Gitana events will focus on domestic violence in St. Louis' South Asian community (immigrants from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives.)
Forty-five to fifty percent of South Asian women, both in the U.S. and in their homelands, are victims of domestic violence, according to SAWERAA, a local organization that empowers South Asian women. And among those Indian women who are abused, 70 percent have attempted suicide. The problem in the South Asian community is well hidden because victims rarely seek help, are unaware of services available to them and are uncertain about their rights. Culturally, many South Asian women fear bringing shame to their family names or undue attention to themselves as new Americans.
"I am always struck by the fact that we always learn more about ourselves through the eyes of another culture. This play will resonate with American women and men on many levels. You will also learn more about our South Asian neighbors who may be faced with a well guarded secret of abuse within the family and may never ask for help because of the culture,?Cecilia Nadal, Producer.
FAULTLINES takes place at the Cardinal Regali Center located at 20 Archbishop May Drive, St. Louis 63119. The performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and on Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $18 for students and seniors. You may purchase tickets by calling 314-721-6556 or visiting www.gitana-inc.org
The Regional Arts Commission, the Missouri Arts Council, and The National Endowment for the Arts have provided funding to support FAULTLINES.
Gitana Productions, Inc. is a not-for-profit arts and education organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural awareness and collaboration by bringing international music, dance, and drama to the St. Louis community. Gitana events present a rarely seen diversity of international and local artists exhibiting an array of traditional and innovative artistic expressions. For more information, visit www.gitana-inc.org or call Gitana Productions at (314) 721-6556. |
