By Arianna Smith Section editor
This Friday, Feb. 27, the Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit is having its opening night of Richard III at their studio location. The play is the second longest in Shakespeare’s cannon and a first for Mosaic Main Stage performers, who plan to portray the play in the original Shakespearean language.
The production of Richard III will start at 8:00 pm at the General Motors Foundation black box theatre, inside the University Prep Math and Science Elementary school.
“I can’t wait until the curtain lifts this weekend,” said junior Jane Clinton, a senior Mosaic member. “I love acting with Mosaic. It’s like I can become another person with each play we do.”
Mosaic was originally founded in 1992 by Rick Sperling to substitute art education in Metro Detroit schools. It began with twenty-five students, but now it has upwards of 1000 kids, students and alumni. The Mosaic model is “Excellence onstage and in life.” The program strives to improve student discipline, cooperation and problem solving skills while exposing inner city kids to arts and theater culture.
“We think of ourselves as ambassadors for Detroit,” said junior Mackenzie Davis. “We represent the talent in the city. Everybody that really wants to be here is rewarded by what the program does for us and how much fun we have.”
Mosaic has four separate parts for students at different levels- First, Second and Main stage, then Next stage for the most experienced. Mosaic has performed all types of programs at venues across Detroit and beyond from classic musicals and original productions to comedies and adapted tragedies.
“My favorite part has to be the tours we take,” said Davis. “We’ve gone outside the country to perform and it’s something I’ll never forget. I would have never had that chance without joining Mosaic.”
