FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[April 19, 2007]

GIFT OF PEACE TICKETS NOW ON SALE
April 19, 2007, Inland Empire, CA - The Inland Empire Department of Peace and Nonviolence Alliance is hosting the performance of an original play written by Stacey Martino. The Gift of Peace traveling troupe consists of accomplished local Los Angeles actors, and is directed by Valentino Ferreira. The performance will be at the CrossWalk Church, 10421 Corporate Drive, in Redlands at 8 pm on Saturday, April 28. A Very Interested in Peace Reception begins at 7:15 pm featuring a special music performance by Los Angeles artist Evolve Elemental. Tickets for the play, "The Gift of Peace" are $12 general admission, $7 for students and $25 for tickets and the VIP Reception.

Previews of a celebrity reading that took place on February 28th at UCLA are available online at www.youtube.com/iedopna along with additional interviews with the director and actors from an eight-city tour that ended at the national conference for the Department of Peace Campaign in Washington D.C. Inland Empire residents Marcia Taack, Pierre Beauregard, his daughter, and Bobbi Jo Chavarria attended the conference and experienced the play firsthand. Each felt, immediately, that this was something the Inland Empire community needed to see.

"The idea for this series of monologues grew from my belief that a Department of Peace is exactly what this country needs," says playwright Stacey Martino. "Regardless of one's politics, religion or race we have all experienced a moment when a deeper calling for a more peaceful world arose within us, even if only for a moment. I wrote The Gift of Peace to remind each of us to see part of ourselves in everyone, so that perhaps that moment might be extended and sustained." For more information about the local campaign please visit www.iedopna.org or call Bobbi Jo at (909) 356-4292. For information on the Department of Peace and Nonviolence and the national campaign, please visit The Peace Alliance website at: www.thepeacealliance.org.

For more information about the Department of Peace, please visit www.ThePeaceAlliance.org.

ARCHIVAL

“The Gift of Peace” Celebrity Play Reading and Fundraiser

What do Shohreh Aghdashloo, Ed Asner, Amy Brenneman, Frances Fisher, Wendie Malick, Esai Morales, Jim Pickens, Amy Smart, and director John Rubinstein have in common? The World Premiere of the Celebrity Reading of The Gift of Peace, written by Stacey Martino.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[February 26, 2007]

Los Angeles – After a cross country tour from Los Angeles to the National Department of Peace Conference in Washington, D.C., that empowered, enlightened and touched the hearts of everyday Americans, The Gift of Peace makes a triumphant return to its home in Los Angeles with a star-studded event at U.C.L.A.’s Freud Playhouse on Wednesday, 28th February, 2007 at 8:00 PM.

Kicking off a cross-country tour starting in Los Angeles in January, The Gift of Peace educated and inspired audiences from Phoenix to Washington DC to support non-partisan legislation currently in Congress to create a national, cabinet-level Department of Peace. The entire process has been documented by Emmy nominated, DGA Award winning director Tasha Oldham, whose film will explore whether everyday people can inspire a change in the direction of our country at this time in American history.

“The idea for this series of monologues grew from my belief that a Department of Peace is exactly what this country needs,” said playwright Stacey Martino. “Regardless of one’s politics, religion or race we have all experienced a moment when a deeper calling for a more peaceful world arose within us, even if only for a moment. I wrote The Gift of Peace to remind each of us to see part of ourselves in everyone, so that perhaps that moment might be extended and sustained.”

The Department of Peace and Nonviolence will be a vital part of the U.S. Federal Government. It’s primary function will be to research, articulate and facilitate proven nonviolent solutions to domestic and international conflict.

The Gift of Peace is welcomed back to Los Angeles with a very special reading on February 28th at 8:00 PM with a group of high-profile performers, including Shohreh Aghdashloo, Ed Asner, Barbara Bain, Amy Brenneman, George Coe, Wynter Daggs, Francesca Eastwood, Frances Fisher, Jesse Garcia, Sumi Haru, Paul Herman, Peaches Johnson, Dan Lauria, Kent McCord, Wendie Malick, Jack Merrill, Esai Morales, Jim Pickens, Amy Smart, Elayn Taylor, J. Karen Thomas and Houshang Touzie, with direction by Tony Award winner John Rubinstein. University of California Los Angeles’ Freud Playhouse will host the evening, which will raise awareness, funds and media attention for the project.

Tickets are $50, $75 and $100. Student tickets/rush seats $15. To purchase tickets or for more information contact Central Ticketing Office: (310) 825-2101 and UCLA Performing Arts website www.uclalive.org. Celebrity participation subject to availability. For more information: www.thegiftofpeace.org. Email: thegiftofpeace@gmail.com.

For more information about the Department of Peace, please visit www.ThePeaceAlliance.org.

For further information:
Stacey Martino or Tova Epp
Email