NEWS RELEASE - African Footprint

23 October, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Robert Dabney, Public Relations
                 robertdabney@gmail.com
                 267-456-9430
                 Iberville Suites Hotel.
                October 28 – November 2 
                504-523-2400



LOUIS GOSSETT, JR. TO HOST RETURN OF LIVE THEATER TO NEW ORLEANS
South African Production AFRICAN FOOTPRINT will Premiere During NOSACONN “Making the Connection Week”

(New Orleans) – Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr. will host the first major touring theatrical production in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, officials of New Orleans – South Africa Connection (NOSACONN) announced today. African Footprint will premiere in the city on November 1 as part of NOSACONN’s “Making the Connection Week.” African Footprint tells the history of South Africa through a blend of Afro-and Euro centric music and dance and is the longest-running stage production in the history of South Africa.

“I am delighted to be a part of the revival of live touring theater in New Orleans with the production of African Footprint,” said Gossett, the show’s associate producer. “This show, which began when one man started an acting school in South Africa, has toured the world and been performed in front of millions. Bringing the show to New Orleans is a major step on the city’s cultural road to recovery.”

In 1998, South African Richard Loring started a school for disadvantaged South African youth interested in performance. When CNN decided to broadcast in 1999 from the Nelson Mandela’s prison cell on Robben Island, Loring’s troupe was invited to perform. The performance, broadcast around the world, became the launching pad for African Footprint. Since its conception the show has run for seven years in South Africa and toured throughout Europe, Australia, China, Israel and India. The New Orleans premiere will kick-off a major American tour of African Footprint.

“African Footprint is the ideal production for New Orleans and NOSACONN’s ‘Making the Connection Week’,” said Damon J. Batiste, NOSACONN President. “This is a vibrant, exciting production and the people of New Orleans will have the first opportunity in the United States to enjoy this experience. We hope that as many people as possible will join us in not only for African Footprint but for the entire week celebrating our connection with the continent of Africa.”

NOSACONN’s “Making the Connection Week” is a celebration of African culture that includes a festival, African Carnival, workshops, business forums and international networking. The US premiere production of African Footprint will run at the New Orleans' Contemporary Arts Center from November 1 – 4. Louis Gossett, Jr. will host a gala VIP reception and fundraiser for NOSACONN featuring cast members from the production on October 31.
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AFRICAN FOOTPRINT SHOWTIMES:

Event Date & Time Venue
African Footprint
Thursday 11/1/2007
8:30 pm CST Contemporary Arts Center
New Orleans, LA

African Footprint
Friday 11/2/2007
8:30 pm CST Contemporary Arts Center
New Orleans, LA

African Footprint
Saturday 11/3/2007
8:30 pm CST Contemporary Arts Center
New Orleans, LA

African Footprint
Sunday 11/4/2007
6:30 pm CST Contemporary Arts Center
New Orleans, LA
Tickets available through http://tickets.repeatseat.com




Eds. Notes – Media availabilities for Mr. Gossett, NOSACONN President Damon Batiste and cast members will be scheduled during the NOSACONN VIP reception. The location and time of the reception may not be disclosed to the public due to security concerns. The availability will be from 5:30 p.m – 7:30 p.m., October 31, 2007 at the Juneau Residence, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New Orleans, 921 Canal Street. There is also interview availability at other times. For information or to schedule an interview, please contact Robert Dabney – robertdabney@gmail.com, or (267) 456-9430.

Video taping of the show will be available on opening night, November 1 for the first seven minutes of the production at the Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp Street, New Orleans

For Reviewer tickets, please contact Robert Dabney, 267-456-9430 – robertdabney@gmail.com. Iberville Suites Hotel. October 28 – November 2 - 504-523-2400.

NOSACONN, The New Orleans – South Africa Connection (NOSACONN) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization promoting cultural exchange between the United States and Africa. Founded by Damon J. Batiste in 1998, NOSACONN is comprised of business, civic, community and entertainment industry leaders, both in New Orleans and in the Republic of South Africa. Our unique partnership has allowed us to produce special events in the City of New Orleans and the Republic of South Africa for the past three years. These activities have allowed our organization to serve as pioneers of presenting art, culture and tourism as the forefront of economic development. Visit the organization at www.nosaconn.com.

Louis Gossett Jr (Associate Producer) ranks as one of the most respected African-American actors of stage, screen, and television. Tall, lanky, and bald-pated, Gossett was a basketball player in high school until a leg injury benched him and his interest turned toward acting. In 1953, at the age of 17, Gossett made his Broadway debut in Take a Giant Step, and ended up with a Donaldson Award for the year's best newcomer. Though working steadily on stage and television, Gossett was still interested in basketball. The New York Knicks drafted him out of college in 1958 and he played with them briefly before returning to performing.
In 1961, Gossett reprised on film the role he played in the theatrical production of A Raisin in the Sun. It was a well-regarded beginning, and he continued to appear on stage and television, and beginning in 1967, the occasional feature film or television movie. During this early period, he also occasionally sang in nightclubs. Gossett did not become a bona fide star until his Emmy-winning performance in the landmark television miniseries Roots (1977). His career picked up considerably after that. In 1982, Gossett earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for playing a deceptively heartless drill sergeant in An Officer and a Gentleman. That same year, he also starred in another television series as the wise mentor to an alien prince in The Powers of Matthew Star (1982-1983). After the success of An Officer and a Gentleman, Gossett reprised his roll as the tough sergeant, albeit using different character names, in several films, including the Iron Eagle series, The Punisher (1989), and others. But though he makes an excellent rough guy, Gossett has showed a willingness to let his softer side show through in such made-for-TV movies as Sudie and Simpson (1990). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

RICHARD LORING (Conception/Director), born in Guernsey in the Channel Islands, has extensive experience in the entertainment industry as both a performer and producer. After a successful West End career, in musicals and records, he left London in the late 60’s to play Tony in The Boyfriend in South Africa, a country he soon adopted as his home. Quickly establishing himself on the local theatre scene, he then moved on to movie appearances, record releases and television shows. Remembered best for strutting onto the stage in high heels and odd socks as the Narrator in the 70’s smash hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the 80’s saw a major career shift from entertainer to producer. Specialized entertainment and major events for corporate clients, opening his own theatre, The Sound Stage, became the norm. Richard has found time to serve as Chairman of the Theatre Benevolent Fund, Deputy Chairman of the Theatre Managements of South Africa, was Charter Member of Midrand Rotary, is a Paul Harris fellow and serves as a member of The Order of St John. Richard constantly lives out his own philosophy that “Life is a Journey, not a Destination.”

COREY ROSS (Producer). Since 1995, Mr. Ross has been producing and promoting concerts and theatrical events by international artists including Andrea Bocelli, Oscar Peterson and Tropicana. In addition, he is focused on fostering tolerance through music, a theme which drew him to African Footprint. Ross is a past vice-president of the non-profit organization Artists Against Racism, which was awarded the 2001 United Nations Humanitarian Award by Rudolph Giuliani for its work promoting tolerance. His work creating gala events for charities has raised millions of dollars for Jewish charities, leukemia, cancer, and homeless youth.

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