The Drama Desk Award-winning TADA! Youth Theater will present the futuristic rock musical Odd Day Rain with Yealie Ulaba-Samura, from Harlem. In 2211, the world isn’t as we know it. Following a big disaster 8 years earlier, Aurora and her friends live outside without any adults, computers, running water… or even cellphones. Meanwhile, Claire continues life alone in the confines of her Pod run by Computer and wonders, “Is there anything more out there?” What happens when Aurora goes back inside? Does Claire go outside and does she stay there? And what happens to Computer?
Yealie Ulaba-Samura, a 14-year-old from Harlem, will be playing Roxanna in the cast of Odd Day Rain. “The people here are definitely my favorite aspect of TADA!, I’ve been inspired to grow and become a better performer. My school doesn’t have an acting program, so I love that I’ve been able to make really close friends here that share my passions.”
Yealie said, “I love dancing and I started when I was 2. Dancing actually helped me become better at acting because it taught me how to portray emotion. I first started taking ballet classes and I still participate in African dance.”
Yealie is currently a freshman at St. Jean Baptiste High School in Manhattan and, although she loves theater, she has other plans for her future. “I love politics, and my dream is to be the first African American female president. I want to go to law school, become an attorney, and then run for office, probably Senate first.”
Manhattan children appearing in Odd Day Rain include: Molly Brown, 14, as Claire; Yealie Ulaba-Samura, 14, as Roxanna; Marlena Vega, 14, as Computer Voice & Grace; Nisha Borrelli, 13, as Tessa; Will Reisacher, 15, as Yorick; Simon Ostrower, 10, as Charlie; AJ Walker, 14, as Jimmy; Kiera Chiu, 12, as Ruby; Anya Eder, 11, as Michelle; Kayla Claudio, 14, as Fynn.
Odd Day Rain’s book is written by Janine Nina Trevens and Deirdre Broderick, with music and lyrics by Deirdre Broderick. The production is directed by Janine Nina Trevens, TADA!’s founder and Producing Artistic Director, with choreography by Joanna Greer, TADA!’s Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer, and music direction by TADA!’s Resident Music Director, Matthew Gregory.
Since 1984, TADA!’s mission is to provide young people from different backgrounds with musical theater that inspire them to be confident and creative; to learn and think differently. TADA! is a unique Drama Desk award-winning nonprofit youth theater that produces original musicals for children, teens, and family audiences. TADA! offers a free, year-round pre-professional training and a positive youth development program for the Resident Youth Ensemble (ages 8-18); musical theater classes/camps for the public; and musical theater residencies in NYC schools/community centers. Through TADA!’s high-quality work, young people gain integral skills in leadership, responsibility, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving – skills that help with growing up and are essential to their success both in school and in life.
Performances of Odd Day Rain are January 19 at 7:00PM; January 20, 26 & 27 at 2:00PM & 4:00PM; Martin Luther King Jr. Day- January 21 at 12:00PM & 2:00PM; February 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24 at 2:00PM & 4:00PM; Special School Day Performances- February 6 at 11:00AM & 1:00PM; February 8 & 15 at 7:00PM; and President’s Day- February 18 at 12:00PM & 2:00PM.
For tickets to Odd Day Rain, please visit http://www.tadatheater.com/shows/buy-tickets-3 for more information. Discounted rates are available for nonprofit and community groups of 15 or more; please reach out to Dane Jerabek at djerabek@tadatheater.com for more information.
Photo Credit: Yealie Ulaba-Samura. By TADA! Youth Theater
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