Based on the overwhelming success of the newly developed Respect Project, HAI has interviewed, auditioned and called back teens from various New York City public schools. Last year, schools such as the Professional Performing Arts High School found that “the presentation was very effective and confronted pertinent issues such as peer pressure, sexual harassment, family issues and racism. The faculty and students agreed that the program was especially interesting due to the high enthusiasm of the presenters and by the incorporation of singing and dancing which students enjoyed!” Once again, the esteemed Director and Tony Award winning choreographer, George Faison, will collaborate with HAI’s Rhonda McLean-Nur. Through a series of exercises, Faison and McLean-Nur will encourage the youth to mine their personal histories, often exposing raw and sensitive material, to create monologues that will be woven into an original and cohesive performance piece.