Ted Sikora's "Move On!"

Ted Sikora has created an all-around beautiful masterpiece of documentary cinema with his film "Move On!" The film, which debuted at the 39th Cleveland International Film Festival, tells the beautiful and gritty tale of Cleveland's Near West Theatre Company as they prepare to move to a new venue. The film began as a 15-minute short and evolved into this feature length gem as Sikora delved deeper into the beautiful soul of this theater company.

from the film's Vimeo site:  One member of this theatre troupe had previously been discriminated against for his race. Another was rejected by a casting director for her weight. But not here. These actors are accepted at Near West Theatre. That's the kind of place it is — one where people, whether they may be, young, old, black, white, gay, straight, disabled or able-bodied, can have a turn in the spotlight.

How is it that a small community theatre project that started with 13 teenagers and an $800 budget blossomed into a company that is about to open a 7 million dollar building? The heart and soul of this talented and diverse community theater is chronicled during the group's farewell show in its former location. The unorthodox company has been so impactful that former cast members, including one battling cancer, came from as far as Puerto Rico to be a part of the final show.

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