"Defining the difference between an 'exploited child and a prostitute' is a full time endeavor"

Marcia Yerman's excellent review of Rachel Lloyd's memoir, Girls Like Us.

http://www.mgyerman.com/2012/02/03/girls-likes-us-rachel-lloyds-memoir-illuminates-the-sexual-exploitation-of-children/

Inspired in India

THE WALK has connected me with some truly amazing individuals, including Zoe Sameth, from California, who is doing important work in Nepal and India to help prevent girls and women from being trafficked and rescue others from lives of enslavement. You can read about Zoe's recent work in India here:
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=0d8b23ab8ef433f2600920f87&id=980053bb0a&e=

"It's not that they're taking stupid people."

Here's an article about trafficking in Uganda:

Ugandan women tricked into Malaysian sex work

http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-20/news/31080245_1_human-trafficking-ugandan-women-kuala-lumpur

Thanks to Michael Davidson for the link!

KUDOS!!!!!!

THE WALK had an exciting run, Feb. 3-5 and Feb. 10-12, at the Natalie Stern Studio Theatre! We sold out for five of our six shows! This new production is 75 minutes long, and audiences were glued to their seats for the talkback with the cast and production team after every show. The feedback was very moving. People were affected by the stories and wanted to know what action they could take to help stop sex trafficking.

Huge, heartfelt thanks to our beautiful and talented cast members and our totally passionate director!

More New Shtuff!

We're excited to have a new stage manager, Christine Hecker, who will also do our lighting design for the Natalie Stern Studio Theatre. And we welcome another new cast member! Nadia Gandhi, who performed in every iteration of The Walk (staged readings and productions) sadly had to withdraw because of family commitments. Tears all round. But auditions yielded the lovely Shirley Manh, who will play various TRAFFICKED WOMEN.  Here is one of Shirley's headshots:

We had a fantastic full-cast read-through of the script a few weeks ago, during which our director Natalie actually got the thing on its feet. It was a good chance to see how one new scene will fit in the mix and also to hear our new song. It's called "No Explanation," by the very talented Kevin Gillespie. Thank you for this gift, Kevin!

Tickets for the show are printed and ON SALE! They are $20 in advance ($22 at the door). But we also have discount prices for groups. (Check out our Sponsorship Package.) You can order your tickets at moondogtheatre@rogers.com or 613 733 0776.

A Remount of THE WALK!

Yes, it's true! Our Fringe show was such a success that we got invited to produce it at the Natalie Stern Studio Theatre, in Ottawa (Westboro), on the first two weekends of February 2012. A run of six shows: Feb. 3-5 and Feb. 10-12.

We have recast three roles because some cast members were sadly unavailable for the remount. Brie Barker has stepped in to play Peter. Rachel Eugster will be Sister Catherine Anne, and Lori Jean Hodge will be Stephanie. All three are seasoned actors, and our passionate director, Natalie, is excited to be working with them.

Having a few Equity actors on board will definitely challenge our budget. But we're gearing up our fundraising efforts, and opening to the bounty of the universe. We welcome your ideas and suggestions.

Our amazing graphic designer, Sergio Diaz, is back and full of enthusiasm. He did a fantastic job on our Fringe program and handbills. Sergio moved to Canada from Colombia only a few months ago with his young family. He's working hard on his English, but he's bursting with marketing ideas and is such a delight to work with.

Great things are coming. Stay tuned!

An important documentary film-maker

In her blog, film-maker Mimi Chakarova describes the toll that a decade of research about global sex trafficking has taken on her. Her honesty is gut-wrenching.

http://blog.usaid.gov/2011/08/the-price-of-sex-an-investigation-of-sex-trafficking/