Asia Nitollano Fans NYC WHOOOH!!!

When Asia Nitollano, 15, arrived at 548 Broadway last winter to audition for the cast of HAI's Respect project, she made a strong impression on the project’s Artistic Director, Tony Award winning Choreographer/Director George Faison and HAI Program Coordinator Rhonda McLean-Nur.

"She was very centered and professional in her audition. As soon as the music began, the light that shone in her eyes and the energy and passion exhibited in her dancing and singing let me know immediately that we had a gifted, budding star in our midst," said McLean-Nur.

Asia Nitollano has continued to draw attention in the Respect performance tour of public schools throughout the city.

HAI staff members were surprised and delighted to find a prior connection between HAI and Nitollano. In 1982, Nitollano's father, the talented musician Joe Bataan, was a performing artist with HAI's In-Facility Department. Bataan recalls this work as a chance to reach out to people who otherwise lack access. "I grew up in Spanish Harlem… my roots are there. Going into the community for HAI and performing before residential audiences in psychiatric centers and nursing homes was very gratifying, something most musicians never experience.”

Bataan and his wife Yvonne Nitollano have consistently supported their daughter, attending nearly every rehearsal and performance of Respect.

As a member of the Respect Project, Nitollano and other cast members wrote and developed performance material that addresses critical issues affecting urban youths today. "All the things that we go through in real life we put in Respect. We discussed and debated issues together and this is important because these are the issues we deal with each day."

Nitollano is happy to be working with an organization that her father worked for so many years ago. "It shows you that it's a small world…I feel like I am following in his footsteps in a way."

When the Respect Project performed in a group home for troubled youths, the impact of their work on peers was brought home to Ms. Nitollano. "The kids there had been through so much. These were kids who had experienced many of the subjects we included in our performance." Standing up before audiences that are often no older than themselves, the process of fielding comments in the Q&A part of the performance created a critical learning laboratory for Respect cast members and audience alike.

After one Respect performance, a young girl in the audience spoke about her own personal decision to have a child at a young age. "In the beginning when we were in workshops and writing with George Faison, I never thought Respect would be like this and come together the way it has. It's just great," says Nitollano.