Mark Peay understands how important arts programs are to the youth. As a graduate of the world renown Baltimore School of Performing Arts,
Peay’s exposure to music and theater at an early age prepared him for a career
in the entertainment industry. He has since become an accomplished producer,
playwright and served as the musical director for Tyler Perry’s stage play Why Did I Get Married. But after witnessing nationwide budget cuts for youth related
arts programs, Peay decided to establish Crunk Kids Record Label, Crunk Kids
Performing Arts Network, and E3 to give young people a creative outlet.
Peay recently wrote and produced a stage play entitled Lemonade to demonstrate how the arts
can inspire and change lives. –a.r.
What can viewers expect from the play Lemonade?
“Lemonade” is an urban children’s musical stage play that
depicts the determination of a group of talented young performers who must
succeed against all odds to fulfill their desire to be America’s Next
Super-Star Sensation. Needing to raise funds for their share of expenses to
travel out of state for the auditions, they encounter powerful life-lessons in
their journey and develop lasting friendships along the way.
How has this play been received by the youth?
Lemonade has been performed at different malls and
churches in the last year. We have had a great response. I first came up with a
concept called E3. Through E3, we expose, educate, and empower kids through the
arts. I always see kids in the audience who want to be a part of it. We
educate the kids who haven’t had a chance to learn about [arts]. The cycle
continues because kids empower other kids to express themselves. We hope to
launch the Lemonade Academy that goes from the middle [school] to the high school level.
How important is it for kids to be able to participate in
the arts?
Through Crunk Kids Network, it’s our desire to inspire kids and be a voice for decent lyrics for our kids. We’re trying to
get people to help us talk to record companies and radio stations so kids don’t
have to hear negative lyrics. We’re also trying to get them to be a part of the
solution. I believe that crime can be dealt with if we use the arts to address
it. If you want to know what our kids are dealing with, listen to the music and we
will see how they feel. It was hard to figure out what’s in these kids minds,
but now life is imitating art. People are doing what they see on TV and what
they hear in the music. If we address issues through the arts, crime will go
down and we can foster change.
On Saturday, October 10, 2009, Lemonade will be performed at the Mt. Zion
Theater in Jonesboro, Ga.
For more info or to purchase tickets for “Lemonade,” visit https://www.crunkkidsnetwork.net/.
