Committee for Children and Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service Present: "TELLING: Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Step into the Light"

SEATTLE, March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Committee for Children (CFC) and Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service (OAASIS) are proud to present the upcoming production of TELLING: Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Step into the Light. The play features seven courageous adult survivors who step into the light and reveal their secrets to the audience. Their true stories are woven together to create a tapestry of pain, secrecy, and ultimately, hope. Written by Margie Boulé and directed by Jamie M. Rea, TELLING will run March 31–April 2 at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

With the use of visual images, original music, movement, dance, and poetry, the TELLING cast share their personal stories of prolonged abuse by brothers, fathers, mothers, teachers, priests, babysitters, strangers, and "friends" of the family. With courage, some trepidation, and even some humor they step onto the stage and recount experiences that changed their lives dramatically. Their stories are a roadmap to healing and hope for other survivors.

"TELLING was inspired by the Secret Survivors National Initiative series created by the award-winning Ping Chong + Company," playwright Margie Boulé noted. "For those looking for an experience that will evoke powerful emotions, negative and positive, and have you leaving the theater feeling hopeful, joyous, and excited, this is the play to see."

Social service organizations around the country who participated in arts and activism training with Ping Chong + Company are now creating their own theatrical productions and projects featuring the voices and experiences of survivors of child sexual abuse.

"We are proud to bring TELLING to the Seattle community, not simply because of its artistic quality, but because of its bedrock message: The only way to prevent and heal from sexual abuse is by talking about it," Committee for Children Executive Director Joan Cole Duffell said. "Audiences will come away inspired by these stories of courage, transformation, and hope."

"What we're doing with TELLING is sharing stories and giving people the opportunity to walk through this journey together," said OAASIS Education Director Klarissa Oh. "We know that child sexual abuse is extraordinarily prevalent, and yet, it's silenced. When we talk about it, some of that power is broken, which is why this production is so important."

TELLING strives to help everyone in the community step into their own light of awareness and hope. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local organizations that work to prevent abuse and serve survivors through counseling and advocacy. To learn more, view our video or visit earlyopenoften.org.

TELLING: Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Step into the Light

Performance Schedule:
Friday, March 31, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

Where:
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute
104 17th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 684-4757

Tickets:
http://telling.brownpapertickets.com  
General admission—$25 ($26.87 with service fee)
At the door—$30

Discounts:
Student, senior, military—$20 ($21.69 with service fee)

Proceeds benefit the following organizations:
- King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
- Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress
- YouthCare

Producing Partners:
- Sound Theatre Company
- Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute
- Seattle Office of Arts and Culture

Written by: Margie Boulé
Directed by:Jamie M. Rea
Performed by:Elise Bradley, Das Chapin, Cristi Dillon, Digene Farrar, Carolee Horning, Gabriel Mikalson, Gordon Romei

Please Note:
The content of TELLING is powerful but not graphic. Adult issues are addressed on stage. Recommended for ages 13 and older.  

The performance runs approximately 90 min without an intermission. 

There will be a very short break, followed immediately by a 30-minute Q&A with the performers, director Jamie M. Rea, Executive Director of Committee for Children, Joan Cole Duffell, and Executive Director of OAASIS, Kerry Naughton.

About CFC
Founded in 1978, Committee for Children is a global nonprofit dedicated to fostering the safety and well-being of children through social-emotional learning and development. CFC is the world's largest provider of research-based educational programs that promote social-emotional skills and prevent bullying and sexual abuse. Today the organization's curricula reach schools in more than 70 countries, including 30% of all U.S. elementary schools. Each year, more than 10.6 million children benefit from these programs. Learn more at cfchildren.org.

Connect with CFC on Facebook and Twitter.

About OAASIS
OAASIS exists to support sexual abuse survivors and prevent future abuse. We are an alliance of survivors and advocates committed to employing our personal and collective strengths, energies, and experiences to advocate and support sexual abuse survivors, educate others, and to eliminate future abuse. OAASIS is building a movement that empowers communities to prevent child sexual abuse and help survivors live full, healthy, joyful lives. We do this by honoring the lives—and amplifying the voices—of people who were sexually abused as children. For more information, visit oaasisoregon.org.

CONTACT: Shauna McBride, smcbride@cfchildren.org, 206.612.8718

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SOURCE Committee for Children