SAVANNAH – Due to overwhelming community response, the City of Savannah’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) will present an encore performance of the Youth Artists of Savannah United’s (YASU) original stage play CHECKMATE on Sept. 13.
As part of the City’s 100 Days of Summer initiative, YASU is a groundbreaking seven-week program under ONSE that brings together high-risk teens to create meaningful, original performances and encourages Savannah youth to find their voices through theater.
The original premiere of CHECKMATE on Aug. 16 was the capstone project for participants in the YASU’s inaugural year. The performance was sold out.
“The response to the premiere has been nothing short of incredible,” CHECKMATE playwright and director Winsphere Jones said. “This encore performance gives us another chance to amplify the voices of young people who are not only acting, but are speaking truth, sharing pain, and offering hope.”
The play opens at a teen house party but quickly takes a dark turn when young Aaron Dame is found dead. Detectives John Getz and Raymond Morton work to unravel a web of secrets surrounding eight suspected teens. As their investigation deepens, they uncover clues that reopen a cold case from years earlier.
“This play isn’t just a whodunit, it’s a conversation starter,” Jones said. “The cast is made up of young people who are telling stories that reflect their realities. This play demonstrates how art can be a catalyst for unity, understanding and change. The encore performance is another opportunity for Savannah to witness that firsthand.”
Following the performance, audience members are invited to stay for a brief discussion on the impact of the YASU program and the voices of youth shaping a safer and stronger Savannah.
The play is free and open to the public. Due to seating capacity, attendees must register for tickets at checkmatetheplay.eventbrite.com.
What: CHECKMATE Encore Performance
When: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2:30 p.m. doors, 3 p.m. curtain
Where: Otis S. Johnson, Ph.D. Cultural Arts Center, 201 Montgomery St.
Ticket Registration: checkmatetheplay.eventbrite.com
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