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Gitana Productions’ recent one-act play is based on the lives of refugee women in St. Louis

Jessica Alvarado and Cecilia Nadal joined "St. Louis on the Air" to discuss Gitana Productions' play based on the lives of local refugee women.
Kelly Moffitt | St. Louis Public Radio
Jessica Alvarado and Cecilia Nadal joined "St. Louis on the Air" to discuss Gitana Productions' play based on the lives of local refugee women.

Gitana Productions, a local nonprofit that advocates global healing through the arts, is performing a one-act play titled “New World” this weekend as part of the St. Louis Arts Experience. The play is based on the lives of three St. Louis women who are also refugees from Bosnia, the Republic of Congo and Afghanistan.

Playwright Patton Chiles did extensive interviews in the local refugee community before writing the play.  It will be performed Oct. 1 and 2 at the Nahed Chapman New American Academy on Grand Blvd.

Related: For one 14-year-old Kenyan refugee, Gitana Productions’ ‘Living the Dream’ is ‘everything’

Joining St. Louis on the Air on Wednesday to discuss the play were Cecilia Nadal, the founder of Gitana Productions, and Jessica Alvarado, an actress in the play.

"St. Louis has become a point of destination for many immigrants coming in," Nadal said. "We know there are large numbers but it is also true that many people don't know the stories of the women and the refugees who are coming in. We thought that was very important to share with the community as we grow. It is one thing to get refugees and immigrants here, it is another make them comfortable. The only way comfort can come is with compassion; you've got to know their stories."

Related Event

What: Gitana Productions presents “New World”

When: Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 2 at 3 p.m.

Where: Nahed Chapman New American Academy, Gallaudet Bldg. at 1616 S. Grand, St. Louis, 63104

More information.

St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh and producers Mary Edwards, Alex Heuer and Kelly Moffitt give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region. 

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Kelly Moffitt joined St. Louis Public Radio in 2015 as an online producer for St. Louis Public Radio's talk shows St. Louis on the Air.