PHILADELPHIA, PA 4/15/2009
***Coming to the Downtown Urban Theatre Festival in New York City on 5/15/09***
GoKash PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS “VI DEGREES” AN AUTHENTIC URBAN STAGE DRAMA EXPLORING RECKLESS LIFESTYLES IMPACTING THE ADVANCE OF HIV/AIDS IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
The Provocative, Shocking, Suspenseful “VI DEGREES” is sure to provide an eye opening look at controversial lifestyles including “living on the Down Low”, extramarital affairs, former inmates returning home from prison, prostitution, and unprotected sex that are in some opinions attributed to the high rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence in the African American community . The play provides a sobering look at disparate rates of testing and treatment of HIV/AIDS in the African American community and seeks to promote a change in these practices. A powerful message promoting safe (protected) sex is also presented. VI Degrees previewed in June ’08 at Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia and encored with the full stage version at Drexel University’s Mandell Theatre in September ’08. These mountings were widely accepted and both the attendance, and response to the play were astounding.
You have written and produced one of the most important plays for contemporary audiences I have ever seen!... This one promises to be one of the hottest and, perhps, the most controversial tickets in town!" - Walter Dallas, Co-Director, MFA in Performance Program, Senior Artist-in-Residence, Department of Theatre,University of Maryland
“VI DEGREES” is the latest in a succession of social awareness stage productions by Kash Goins. Previously, Mr. Goins was a member of Sharon Baptist Church and led the Drama Ministry for seven years. During that time, he wrote and directed “The Pastor and His Sign” which confronted the current epidemic of youth gun violence in Philadelphia and the “stop snitching” culture. “The Pastor and His Sign” gained vast acclaim in television and print news media and was presented to Philadelphia City Council via the efforts of Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. In attendance were then Mayor John Street, Council President Anna C. Verna, and then Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson. This is Mr. Goins inaugural production under the umbrella of his new theatre company GoKash Productions. After the initial presentation in Philadelphia, plans are to avail it to universities, theatres, and community outreach endeavors in Philadelphia and beyond.

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