The Respect Project - Archive

The Respect Project is a performing arts based youth empowerment and performance project created by George Faison, the first African American choreographer to win the Tony award (The Wiz, 1976). After attending a workshop conducted by Professor Sara Lawrence Lightfoot in Cambridge, MA, based on her book "RESPECT", George decided to apply the tenets and philosophy of Dr. Lawrence Lightfoot to the experiences of urban youth. Through writing, dance, music and theatre workshops led by Faison, Rhonda "Akanke' McLean-Nur and other professionals, the participants mine their personal histories to create monologues, poems, dance, songs and spoken word pieces. The result is an entertaining theatrical production that tours New York City schools, juvenile detention centers, shelters, and community centers where it has been enthusiastically received and cited for its power, positive impact, relevance and artistic excellence.