After The Storm

WHAT GIRLS KNOW @ St, Mark's

2010-12-16T05:07:00.000-08:00

On Friday, Dec. 3rd, eleven little girls, ages 8 & 9 and one ten year old participants of the What Girls Know workshop at North Rampart Community Center gave a presentation of their original play, Magnolia and Truth. This was after only three days since they had come up with the story which begins, of course, with

Once upon a time there was a girl named Magnolia. She didn't know where she came from, because she can be in one place for only 24 hours at a time. Every morning she wakes up in a different and strange place and doesn't know where she is. When she woke up yesterday, there was another girl there with her. Her name was Truth and she was looking for her parents. Magnolia hoped they would be friends. Magnolia and Truth set out on the next 24 hour journey. They go to three lands: Helping Land, Bubbleland, Mexico, and Hollywood Land. In each Land they discover something important that ultimately helps Magnolia and Truth find their way home.

Kourtney Heart, the 17 year-old local singing sensation in New Orleans ("My Boy") delighted girls and audience alike with her portrayal of Truth. She and the girls sang in a call and response style set to the rhythm of "Billie Jean". Each girl portrayed the character she had created and resided in her chosen Land. Ciera Payton, Associate Director of What Girls Know, and wonderful young actress played Magnolia.

HUGE THANK YOU to Brenda Currin, Artistic Director of What Girls Know who made it happen!

--

www.whatgirlsknow.com

2010-09-15T06:25:00.000-07:00

Just back from New Orleans where we marked the 5th anniversary of Katrina by screening the AFTER THE STORM film at the North Rampart Community Center. Our first audience was made up of the some of the kids who now attend the after school program at the Center. For many of them, Katrina is a dim memory, but they were excited to see their own Community Center featured in a film. The difference between THEN and NOW is remarkable -- even to young eyes. We had three more screenings of the film, which gave some of the cast members an opportunity to come forward and speak to the audience. The Center itself is about to go through a major change. After four years of financial challenges, structural improvements and major miracles, Joanne Finley is stepping down as Executive Director. I think we can all agree that she's done wonders with the Center, raising it up from nothing and turning into a true hub of community activity, summer fun and after school care. During this past weekend, we got a chance to meet with the new board members who are taking the lead in making the Center even more essential to the kids and the community.

A special thank you to everyone who have helped us create change in New Orleans -- one neighborhood at a time.

San Francisco Film Festival

2010-04-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

(left) The amazing students of the S.R. Martin School in Bay View.

April 28th, 2010
As part of the two week film festival here, the
education team set up a number of screenings for schools around the Bay area. Fresh off the plane to NY, I was driven to the S.F. School for the Arts where about 80 young people were just finishing up watching the film. Since they were mostly all involved in theater in some way or other, they were thrilled by the movie and they related to the St. Mark's kids. The Q & A session was interrupted by the bell way too soon, but they gave me a tour of the facility, and I declared Scott Eberhardt, the teacher in charge, to be one of the super-heroes of the world. The following day, I went to the theater where most of the films in the festival are being screened. There were students from several schools in attendance, grades 5 through 12. Again, I was amazed by the attention that the kids gave to the film and how deeply involved they were in the story. One of my favorite schools was the S.R. Martin School which is located in Bay View. There are only 22 students in this whole school, grades 5 through 12. They were an incredible group of young people with a dedicated teacher and principal, and as we said goodbye, they informed me that they wanted to make a documentary about their school. Why? I asked them. "Because each one of us has a story," one young woman told me. "And this school is special." Imagine feeling that way about your school and fellow students! Afterwards, I went to the The Head Royce School, a private school in Oakland. I arrived just as the documentary film class had finished watching After The Storm. We only had forty-five minutes of Q & A, and because these kids wanted to know EVERYTHING about the making of the doc, this seemed way too brief. Then onto a screening at the Oakland School for the Arts, where 100 kids were gathered together in a cafeteria. I stood on a stage with a mic to answer the questions, and as always, the question was asked: "Do you stay in touch with the kids in the film?" I reported that Ashley is now attending Columbia College in Chicago, Jon is transferring to Long Island University to study voice next year, Grant has changed his major from musical theater to Islamic and Hebrew Studies, Joel is awaiting her acceptance to The Manhattan School of Music (fingers crossed), Griffin was accepted to the Alvin Ailey School of Dance in NYC and Desiree´is now working as a P.A. on the HBO series Treme´. These are major accomplishments in the lives of our kids-- and major milestones for us as we watch them advance into the world of adulthood. Amazing to me that it is has been three years since we did this production of Once On This Island in New Orleans. Even more amazing that five years has passed since Hurricane Katrina. As the immediacy of the disaster begins to fade from the public mind, After The storm Foundation remains committed to the idea that Art (i.e. music, dance, and theater) can be more than just an extracurricular activity for a kid. Art can become the means by which young people redefine their relationship not only to themselves but also to their community -- and to the world at large.

FULL CIRCLE -- COFFEE for New Orleans!

2010-03-03T13:31:00.000-08:00

Full Circle + After The Storm. Just a reminder to order your fair trade organic coffee, tea or chocolate from Full Circle Exchange plus . They are donating 30% back to ATS Foundation when you order online. The product is delicious, it helps ATS promotes justice and cultivate good around the world. If you already order some, let us know what you got and how much you liked it. The coffee is the best and the chocolate is to die for. Order away and lets help raise money for ATS. Spread the word.

Here is the link:

www.fullcircleexchange.com/afterthestorm

FROM PLAYBILL....By Matthew Blank

2010-03-03T07:32:00.001-08:00

The Human Heart Benefits Children of Haiti
By Matthew Blank
02 Mar 2010

Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, Gerry McIntyre and After The Storm presented The Human Heart, a starry March 1 benefit concert at Joe's Pub. Proceeds support the children of Haiti.
Randy Redd directed the performance, with musical direction by Aaron Jodoin.
Janine LaManna opened the eclectic concert with "After the Storm," featuring Stephen Flaherty on piano and backup vocals from Michael McElroy, Danielle Lee Greaves and Celisse Henderson.
A few of the offerings from the first half of the show included Mark Lawson presenting a new song by Michael Feinsten and Bill Schermerhorn, Jill Paice with "There Will Come a Day," Hair's Rachel Bay Jones in a rendition of "No More" from Into the Woods, Robin Skye covering Patty Griffin's "When It Don't Come Easy," Farah Alvin belting "2 Steps Away" and Tituss Burgess lending his smooth tenor to "Believe" from The Wiz.
Other highlights from the two-hour affair included Christy Carlson Romano delivering Johnny Cash's "Big River," Gregg Edelmann in a touching version of "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today," Lynne Wintersteller with "Chanson" from The Baker's Wife and Billy Porter bringing down the house with one of his signature songs, "Time."
The evening wound down with Betty Buckley donating her legendary rendition of "Memory," followed by three Once on This Island numbers performed by original cast members: Gerry McIntyre performed the cut song "Come Down From the Tree," Kecia Lewis-Evans delighted with "Mama Will Provide" and Andrea Frierson closed with the concert's title song, "The Human Heart."

Event to benefit Haiti's Children

2010-02-19T04:42:00.000-08:00

COMING SOON!!!

Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and After The Storm present
The Human Heart: Helping Haiti's Children
Monday, March 1st at 7 PM
Joe's Pub
425 Lafayette
New York

Tickets
$40 (General)
$100 (Premium - includes Preferred Seating, Meet & Greet and more!)

www.joespub.com

Starring: Farah Alvin (Chess, The Look Of Love, Nine, I Love You Because), Betty Buckley (Triumph of Love, Sunset Boulevard, Carrie, Song & Dance, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Cats, 1776), Tituss Burgess (Guys And Dolls, The Little Mermaid, Jersey Boys), Quentin Darrington (Ragtime), Gregg Edelman (A Tale Of Two Cities, Wonderful Town, Into The Woods, City Of Angels), Kecia Lewis-Evans (The Drowsy Chaperone, Once On This Island, Chicago), Rachel Bay Jones (Hair), Janine LaManna (The Drowsy Chaperone, Seussical, Ragtime), One Life To Live's Mark Lawson, James Lecesne, Michael McElroy (Big River, The Wild Party, Rent, The Who's Tommy), Gerry McIntyre (Once On This Island), Jill Paice (The 39 Steps, Curtains, The Woman In White), Billy Porter (Smokey Joe's Cafe, Grease), Christy Romano (Avenue Q, Parade), Robin Skye (Parade, Cyrano), Stephanie Umoh (Ragtime), Lynne Wintersteller (A Grand Night For Singing, Closer Than Ever) and Andrea Frierson (Once On This Island, Marie Christine, Juan Darien, The Lion King). This fundraiser will also feature new songs by Brooke Sunny Moriber, Bill Schermerhorn and Michael Feinstein and Georgia Stitt and Bil Wright and special appearances by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and more. Directed by Randy Redd, Aaron Jodoin musical directs and leads a 5 piece band with vocalists Cole Burden, Mary Catherine McDonald, Caroline Dooner, Justin Lopez and Matt Dengler. All proceeds go through After The Storm directly to SOS Children’s Villages.

SOS Children's Villages is assessing the most immediate needs of the thousands of victims of the disaster in Haiti and will provide medical supplies, drinking water and basic food supplies. In the days and weeks to come, SOS Children's Villages Haiti will provide temporary care for children who are not accompanied by adults or even long-term care for children who have lost their parents in this terrible catastrophe.

www.sos-childrensvillages.org

From Beatrice Crouch - Vashon

2010-02-04T14:17:00.001-08:00

Last week I attended a wonderful screening at Vashon Island. As soon as I arrived and I saw the theater with After The Storm next to Avatar just in a better time of the day, I knew it will be special. and it was...Beatrice Couch who helped organized it wrote that:

In late November Diane Bradford asked me to coordinate a promotional campaign and oversee the NW premiere of “After the Storm” on Vashon Island, WA on January 18, 2010 (MLK Day). After watching the movie, I was inspired along with and a small group of local Vashon artists to create a two week event called “From Vashon with Love: a Celebration of Films, Music and Art”.

As part of the grassroots promotion of “After the Storm” I held a private screening for 20 local artists, ranging from film-makers, musicians, artists and local promoters of the arts. From that meeting came a core group Vicki Dunakin, Richard Waits, Robyn Landis and myself that helped to create “From Vashon with Love: a Celebration of Films, Music and Art” (January 8 – 20, 2010).

With a recent break in of the Vashon Theater, Vicki Dunakin and some of the local film-makers created FilmAid as a means of helping the theater owner recover from the financial loss. Along with FilmAid we created a benefit “From Vashon with Love: a Celebration of Music” to send local musicians to Sundance. We were able to take Robyn Landis (the Grand prize winner of the 2009 John Lennon singer/song-writer award), Troll’s Cottage and Song and Legend to perform during the first weekend of the Sundance Film Festival at the “Crown on Main” in Park City, UT.

As part of the NW Premiere of “After the Storm”, it was Diane’s wish to include an educational piece to the screening of the movie. I have known James Cardo for many years he was the perfect choice, James Cardo is the assistant Dean and teaches at The Harbor School and has been leading a group of 8th grade students to New Orleans’ for the past three years in an effort to play a part in the recovery projects. The NW Premiere was used as a benefit to create a follow up mini-documentary and show how the power of community involvement with youth can be used as an experiential educational piece and showcase the value of volunteering. Nick Weisnet, Vicki Dunakin’s son will be filming the travel study trip that the 8th grade students from The Harbor School in May, 2010.

“After the Storm” is a magical movie that provides a model to create community cooperation combined with the creative arts to overcome most obstacles that life presents us. As Gerry McIntyre states in the movie “through Community and Love one can over come any disaster”! James Lecesne, Hilla Medalia, Gerry McIntyre and the cast of young performers all give us a shining example of how with love, determination and inspiration communities can bring hope into even the most hopeless of hearts.

Sincerely,
Beatrice Crouch
Heart of the Sound Events
www.fromvashonwithlove.org

Photos by Peter Ray and Rebecca Douglas

Three Years Later....

2010-01-17T20:04:00.000-08:00

WE ARE THE SONG - Songwriting Workshop
North Rampart Community Center
New Orleans. January 17th, 2009

FROM LESLEY..... in New Orleans

2010-01-16T21:24:00.000-08:00

Unbelievably, it's been THREE YEARS since we began working with the North Rampart Community Center. Amazin things have happened in those three years for both our Foundation and the Center. But this weekend we were able to send down five songwriters to work with about 20 kids in the WE ARE THE SONG songwriting workshop. Below is a report from our own Lesley Mazzotta who is down there with Randy Redd, Robin Sky and several others.

"Yesterday was joyous chaos here, but things are going really well. We had about 22 kids show up... we started the day with a lot of round robin talking... everyone introduced themselves, and Randy (Redd) lead two quick writing exercises... write four lines... to get the creative juices flowing. Then, we broke off into small groups for 8 line exercises and each of our teaching artists presented their works to the whole group as inspiration. We ended the evening with pizza and the film. Hannah & mom, Ashley & mom, Griffin & mom, Annie & mom, Eric (who's doing the program) & mom and April & granddad all came and enjoyed the film! There was really no Q&A afterwards... no real time. All of our OOTI kids looks great and are doing well.

Today, 16 kids came back, with more trickling in. Randy started by asking each kid to write a commercial about themselves and present it back to the group... to personalize the writing process and create a silly, fun environment. Everyone loved it - lots of laughter - and it brought the kids back into the work. Now, everyone is divided into small groups of 3-4, and they are taking all of their ideas from the past writing assignments and putting them together. Robin (Sky) has tons of great footage of the kids... I haven't taken lots of pictures yet but certainly will. We are still waiting for the MTI box, so we're going to get the kids in t-shirts to take photos from them. I'll send some along as soon as I have them.

Things are really good.... the workshop is really working, all the kids are participating... there is tons of diversity... they are into rap, R&B, soul, old school...kids from all around town. The kids are open and creative and excited and trusting our staff and the process. There is so much great energy in this place today! In fact, one kid, LuckyLou, just canceled going to watch the Saints at the Superdome because he's "having fun!" WOW!

Our team is totally jazzed and excited to be here. It's a great variety of talents and backgrounds, which makes them work well together and gives many different points of view to make the experience richer for the kids. Randy is overseeing the creative process brilliantly... shaking things up to see what works, how to make everything even better.

I've talked a lot with Coach and Joanne. Coach told us once again how happy he is that we are here, and thankful for all we are doing. They are "back in business" with over 200 kids... serving 50-60 a day. As you know, they still need money, but things are slowly moving forward. They have a new heating system, fire alarm system, the gym is newly painted and cleaned, the pool is completely renovated with the leak fixed, the shelves are packed with books.

Peg is making us cookies and buying us snacks.

2009-12-17T04:26:00.000-08:00

December 2009

What an amazing year it has been for The After The Storm Foundation.

As many of you know, Hilla Medalia's film (AFTER THE STORM) premiered at The LA Film Festival in June, and it has already won several of awards including the Audience Favorite Award at The Woodstock Film Festival and at The Heartland Festival. Hilla also won a Crystal Heart Award for best Documentary feature at Heartland. Hawaii was a major stop on our film tour, especially because it was the first place we were able to screen the film for a theater full of kids, ages 8 to 18 (and the scenery wasn't bad either.) Our next scheduled screening is at The Windrider Forum, which is part of The Sundance Film Festival on January 30th if you happen to be in Park City, Utah. We also have a NYC screening at the JCC Manhattan on March 2nd.

Keeping the doors of the North Rampart Community Center open is the primary goal of The Foundation. Thanks to the efforts of the wonderful Deaconess, Joanne Finley, and the dedication of Coach Parker as well as the entire board of North Rampart Community Center (formerly St. Mark's), the kids in the neighborhood continue to have a safe and creative place to go after school.

Randy Redd has also been doing his part. He organized two very successful benefit performances this year at Joe's Pub in NYC to raise money for the Center. Singer/songwriters came together to celebrate New Orleans. This past Monday, December 7th, Randy Redd presented We Are The Song 2, a second helping of extraordinary new music at Joe's Pub to benefit North Rampart Community Center. This concert featured new songs by songwriters Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Chris Miller, Sam Willmott, Rob Rokicki, Jason Loffredo, David Sisco and Tom Gualtieri, Michael Walker and Kyle Ewalt, Barbara Anselmi and Ken Clifton. Save the date for the next Song/Storm concert. On Monday, February 15th, during Mardi Gras, We Are The Song 3: After The Storm will be presented at Symphony Space in New York City and will feature all new songs.

Not only did this concert raise money for NRCC but also raised awareness and introduced even more New York City singers, songwriters and musicians to The After The Storm Foundation and the new We Are The Song Songwriting Workshops. Thanks to a generous contribution from Freddie and Myrna Gershon and, Music Theater International, our first Song/Storm workshop will be held January 15-17 in New Orleans. During this 3-day workshop, local students (ages 13-18) will learn how a song is created from start to finish. Through games, singing, discussion, and exercises led by professional singers, songwriters and Broadway teaching artist, students will explore the components of basic songwriting: rhythm, rhyme, song structure, lyrics, and melody. After an introduction to songwriting basics, students will listen to a variety of well-known songs examining point of view, melody, lyrics, structure and arrangement. Then, using these tools students will write an original song of their own. This workshop is not about writing a hit song. In fact, no prior songwriting experience or musical training is necessary in order to participate. Students will be encouraged to share ideas, express themselves and tell stories thru songwriting. The students will also discuss individuality and community and how they might be able to express their individuality through song.

Stay tuned for more in the coming year.

We can't do it without you.

“After the Storm” Documentary at Asheville Arts Center

2009-11-18T05:36:00.000-08:00

Gerry and After The Storm at NC November 14th

We Are The Song: After The Storm #2 December 7th at Joes Pub

2009-11-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

We Are The Song: After The Storm (#1), an extraordinary night of new music was presented at Joe's Pub on August 31st to benefit The North Rampart Community Center and to celebrate the work that began in New Orleans...After The Storm.
The concert featured new songs by many songwriters.

We Are The Song 2!
will be presented at Joe's Pub on Monday, December 7th at 7 PM and will feature encore performances of the new songs sung by Broadway performers as well as a very special musical tribute to Once On This Island and a thank you to that show's creators Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Tickets are on sale now and are available at www.joespub.com.

Some of the people that were involved in We Are The Song: After The Storm #1:
Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Chris Miller, Sam Willmott, Rob Rokicki, Bill Schermerhorn and Doug Katsaros, Craig Fols and Fred Thaler, Michael Cooper and Hyeyoung Kim, Michael Walker and Kyle Ewalt, Kevin Hammonds, Lance Horne and Debra Barsha, Zach Zadek, Ken Clifton

and performances by songwriters Duncan Sheik, Jenny Giering, Wesley Whatley, Randy Redd, singers Cole Burden (Applause), Anderson Davis (Les Miserables), Kathy Deitch (Wicked, Footloose), Matt Doyle (Spring Awakening, Bye Bye Birdie), Julie Foldesi (South Pacific, Little Women), Aaron Simon Gross (13), Jeremy Hays (Les Miserables), Rachel Bay Jones (Showfolk, Hair), Fabio Monteiro, Brooke Sunny Moriber (The Wild Party, Parade), Jill Paice (The 39 Steps, Curtains, The Woman In White), Megan Reinking (Hair), Rashidra Scott (Avenue Q, Finian’s Rainbow), Antonique Smith, Robin Skye (Parade, Cyrano), Ali Stroker, Michael Winther (33 Variations, Mamma Mia, 1776) and LaChanze (The Color Purple, Once On This Island). Musical Director and Coordinator Aaron Jodoin led a seven-piece band with singers Brandon Michael Arrington, Molly Hager, Justin Lopez and Mary Catherine McDonald providing background vocals and a new song by Barbara Anselmi.

Seariders!

2009-10-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

Hilla and I spent our lat day in Hawaii vistiing the West side of the island of O'hau. Thanks to the amazing Jeff Stone we were able to screen the AFTER THE STORM film to a group of exceptional high school kids involved in a film production program at Waianae High School called "Seariders". Jeff and his brother Randy Stone started this program almost ten years ago to help local teens on the island get a head start in learning the skills needed to compete in the world of film and tv production. Candy Suiso, an inspired and inspiring teacher is in charge of the program and the staff are all brilliant graduates of the school who have come back to Waianae to pass along what they know to the next generation. You can visit their website at www.seariderproductions.com to learn more about them.

Superstar: : Kristina Vakameilalo

James, Jeff Stone, Candy Suiso, Hilla, Beverly Stone

Audience Award at Heartland

2009-10-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

In Hebrew there is an expression, Today Started Off On The Right Leg. James and I woke up to a wonderful view of the ocean in Hawaii and then The Heartland Film Festival called to tell us that After The Storm won the audience favorite award. Of course everyone loves an award, but this one is especially important and special for us. After all the audience is what counts. We are hoping this will help us bring the film to more people. Thank you Indiana!!! Good morning Hawaii!

http://www.trulymovingpictures.org/news/Pages/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=58&Source=http%3a%2f%2fwww.trulymovingpictures.org%2fFilmFestival%2fPages%2fdefault.aspx&List=News&Web=65a936f6-2c25-413f-bf2b-1bda576ce277

Aloha Hawaii

2009-10-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Hilla and I are here in Hawaii forcing ourselves to enjoy the sun and the sea and the kindess of the island people. This morning we were on the local morning news program and then we went to the theater where we screened the film for students from five different schools. This was the first time an audience of young people were gathered together to watch the film, and judging from their reaction afterwards AND their concentration during I'd say it was a big success. The kids seems to connect on such a deep level with the struggles of the New Orleans' kids and the stories of each of them overcoming their obstacles. We're already trying to figure out how to create more screenings for Middle School Students throughout the U.S.

Anyone out there with ideas about how to get this film into Middle Schools and High Schools?

Heartland Film Festival Follow-up...

2009-10-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

THE HEARTLAND FILM FESTIVAL has to be one of the nicest festivals around -- if not the nicest. The people, the location and of course the world famous Hoozier hospitality make this a welcome change for those of us who've done the rounds of festivals. Located in the heart of the Midwest, (Indianapolis, Indiana) Heartland features what they call TRULY MOVING PICTURES. Our own film, AFTER THE STORM will be shown seven times over the next week, giving locals plenty of time to see it. At both of the screenings that Hilla and I attended, the theater was almost full and if the Q & A afterwards was a good indication, everyone was deeply moved and wildly enthusiastic. At the awards ceremony last night, the film won A CRYSTAL HEART AWARD in the documentary category! The momentum is really building and the word is getting out all over the country.

Tomorrow we're on to Honolulu to the Hawaii Film Festival!

James

NY Premier

2009-10-07T07:20:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, AFTER THE STORM won the AUDIENCE FAVORITE award at the Woodstock Film Festival! And as if that wasn't enough, the next day the film received a wonderful review in the NY Times on Monday morning. http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/movies/05storm.html But all this was leading up to an exciting opening night screening of the film at The Museum of Modern Art in NYC. Some of the performers featured in the film arrived fresh from New Orleans to join in the festivities and see themselves projected ten foot high -- Desiree´, Griffin, Gabrielle, Ashley and Annie were all there along Gerry McIntyre, Randy Redd, Duncan Sheik, Chita Rivera, Lynn Ahrens and Steve Flaherty and many many other.

Start of Phase 3

2009-10-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to announce that our feature documentary, After the Storm, will premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival in mid-June 2009, and shortly thereafter, at the Outfest Film Festival, also in Los Angeles.

Thanks to the generosity of the Priddy Brothers and Rosie O'Donnell, the amazing contributions of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens and so many others, the After the Storm film project is nearing completion. We are turning our attention to garnering the funds needed to finish the documentary, fund the premieres and continue and/or launch a handful of projects, aimed at securing the arts in the minds and hearts of the next generation in New Orleans.

This summer marks the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and yet, the latest statistics show only 25 percent of the area’s community centers have re-opened and restarted their arts programs. The loss of these centers is a key obstacle to the recovery of New Orleans and has especially impacted local programs for youth.

The progress at St. Mark’s (now North Rampart Street Community Center) has continued since the doors reopened following our initial contact in June 2006. The summer program currently has about 150 kids; the after-school program has 250-300. Thankfully, our work has catalyzed and inspired others to support and serve the Center, and much of the facility has been restored. There is, however, so much more to do.

Our documentary film is a vehicle for fundraising and for bringing the plight of New Orleans ’ young people to the public’s attention. Therefore, our goal is to have 2,010 screenings of After the Storm between June 2009 and Dec. 31, 2010 throughout the continental United States. Along with the funding needed to see us through the premieres, we are planning the following programs in New Orleans:

After-School and Summer Arts Programs -- continued operation at North Rampart Street Community Center and expansion into other New Orleans community centers.
Summer Musical Theater Workshop -- a new, week-long, life-to-life Arts experience that connects New York theater professionals with New Orleans community center kids through one-on-one training, workshops, classes and performances.
Year Round Music Lab – creation and implementation of a year-round music lab at North Rampart Street Community Center.
New Community Center Partnerships – development of relationships with other New Orleans community centers to re-build and create programs to introduce and enhance kids’ participation in the arts.

We are now raising the necessary funds to complete our post production and publicize and market the film’s release. We still have a ways to go. Won’t you consider helping us reach our goal? Please make a donation at www.afterthestormfoundation.org/donate.cfm.

With your assistance, we can realize our dream of bringing the community centers and arts programs of New Orleans back to life and profoundly contributing to the lives of young people -- one neighborhood at a time.

James Lecesne