VSA arts Presents “Izzy Icarus Fell Off the World”

September 12, 2007

WASHINGTON, September 12, 2007 - VSA arts presents the world premiere of “Izzy Icarus Fell Off the World” at the Kennedy Center at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 27. Written by 15-year-old Aliza Goldstein of Jacksonville, Fla., this play was selected for the 23rd annual VSA arts Playwright Discovery Award, one of several VSA arts literary programs that encourage creative writing in middle and high school. A sampling of poetry from these programs will be performed preceding the play.

Teenage Izzy is fascinated by birds. With beach season fading, he loves to stand on the sand, flap his arms, and watch the gulls take flight for winter. His curious movements have attracted the eye of budding photographer Dove, who waits poised with her camera, convinced he’s going to fly. “That’s why he’s called Izzy Icarus,” she says. “Like the character in Greek mythology.” When her classmate insists that Izzy, who has autism, is dreaming the impossible, Dove is determined to prove her wrong.

“VSA arts’ literary programs encourage young people to write in a variety of art forms,” said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. “This showcase brings students like Aliza Goldstein’s work to life onstage.”

Now in its 23rd year, the Playwright Discovery Award program encourages middle and high school students of all abilities to write a one-act play about disability. The winner travels to Washington, D.C., to view a professional production of their play at the Kennedy Center. VSA arts also offers a number of other literary programs. The poetry that will be performed during the evening comes from the Writing Project, which challenges young writers, ages 11-18, who are living with a disability or connected to someone with a disability, to explore their world from different points of view through the art of writing.

Playwright Goldstein is entering her junior year at the Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville. A previous volunteer at the Mt. Herman Exceptional Student Center, a center for students with developmental disabilities, Goldstein chose to address autism in her play “because it’s something so easily misunderstood.” Two of her previous works were selected for performance at Stanton’s annual night of student-written one-act plays.

Tickets for the evening are $15. To purchase, please visit www.kennedy-center.org/tickets.

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in more than 60 countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, visit www.vsarts.org.

Media Contact:

Stephanie Taylor/VSA arts
(202) 628-2800 ext. 3883
SKTaylor@vsarts.org