Gallo Prevention Education through the Arts: CRANKED

On May 7, 2009 Cranked will be coming to the Foster Family Theater at Gallo Center for the Arts as part of Gallo's vision to promote prevention education through the arts.

This remarkable and hugely successful play produced by Vancouver’s Green Thumb Theatre examines the rising epidemic of crystal meth use by teens. Employing spoken word and hip hop, Cranked offers a dramatic exploration of addiction and drug culture. It’s the story of Stan, a rising freestyle DJ who loses it all because of his meth habit and then confronts his demons without the “fix” that has dominated his life. This incredibly powerful and compelling play — with hip hop music played by an on-stage DJ — belongs to today’s generation but can be enjoyed and experienced by everyone from teens to parents and teachers.

An exciting component to Gallo bringing Cranked to our area is the opportunity for community-wide collaboration and education around these performances. Stanislaus County Office of Education, Center for Human Services, City of Patterson / Parks and Recreation, and the Stanislaus County Police Activities League have all stepped up to connect the Cranked message with young people and families in Stanislaus County. These partnerships will allow for students to be invited to showings at Gallo, but will also welcome Cranked out in to the community as well. The Cranked crew will be performing throughout Stanislaus County from May 7 through May 13.

Two public performances at Gallo Center for the Arts will be on May 9 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Tickets start at just $8.00. For more information and to view a video clip of the play visit the Gallo Center for the Arts website here.

For more information about this performance and others for your school or community please contact Raul Garcia, Community Engagement Coordinator at (209) 338-5020 or rgarcia@galloarts.org.