Call it Brooklyn’s version of the infamous Blues Brothers movie, because Karisma Jay is on a mission from God to save her AbunDance Academy of the Arts nonprofit, which is currently being uprooted from its home in Lefferts Garden due to rising rents.
And to raise both awareness and money for the dance academy, Joy is producing an upcoming theatrical dance performance based on Whoppi Goldberg’s movies “Sister Act” and “Sister Act 2” and appropriately titled “Sister Act, AbunDantly.”
“It was a no-brainer,” said Jay. “In our ‘Sister Act,’ we are actually living the story. I’m playing Deloris and I have to keep my school from closing. There’s always going to be obstacles and adversity, but [Sister Act, AbunDantly] is about hope. This show is about overcoming those obstacles and soaring.”
As a professional appearing on Broadway and in numerous dance companies such as, Ronald K. Brown, Evidence, Maimouna Keita, Creative Outlet of Brooklyn, Brooklyn Ballet, and Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature, Jay wants to provide “an abundance,” to all children who might not have access.
As a child, Jay attributes her love of the arts to her mother who exposed her to it at young age. She realized that her mother worked hard to give her these things and she is grateful for it.
“No was not an answer [for my mother]” Jay said. “I can’t stress enough how much going against the odds, going against the obstacles needs to be modeled for children.”
AbunDance Academy of the Arts currently serves over 100 students annually and provides specialized dance classes, martial arts, theater, vocal and music performance as well as adult programs in fitness, health and wellness. While they are in pursuit of a new space, Jay and her staff teach their students at temporary locations in order to get ready for their upcoming performance.
“The fight is not over,” said Jay. “We are still raising money towards our relocation.”
Sister Act, Abundantly is slated for 6 p.m., Sunday at the world-famous and beautiful Kings Theater, 1027 Flatbush Avenue between Tilden and Duryea in Flatbush. Tickets are $60 in advance and $65 at the door. To purchase tickets online, visit: http://www.kingstheatre.com/shows/sister-act-abundantly.
For other donations to AbunDance Academy of the Arts, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/abundancehastomove.
