Matthew Hancock and Jennifer Finch in “I and You”.
The Fountain Theatre’s acclaimed 2015 productions of Lauren Gunderson’s I and You and Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine have earned four NAACP Theatre Award nominations for productions presented between January – December, 2015.
The NAACP Theatre Awards is presented by the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Branch in partnership with the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles City Council President/Councilmember District 10 Herb Wesson, Jr. and co-chaired by Byron K. Reed, Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo-West Region Community Relations, and Jeffrey Rush of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.
“We’re always pleased to be acknowledged by the NAACP theatre committee,” says Fountain Co-Artistic Director Stephen Sachs. “We have a long and successful history of supporting and presenting the work of a rich variety of artists on our stage. Diversity and inclusion is at the core of our artistic mission.”
‘Citizen: An American Lyric’ at the Fountain Theatre
The mission of the NAACP Theatre Awards is to entertain, educate, and inspire the community and create diversity in the arts and entertainment industry. To honor LA theatre artists and celebrate live theatre in Los Angeles.
This year, the Fountain Theatre has received the following nominations:
Best Lead Male – Matthew Hancock, I and You
Best Choreography – Anastasia Coon, Citizen: An American Lyric
Best Lighting – Jeremy Pivnick, I and You
Best Set Design – Tom Buderwitz, I and You
The awards show will be held on Monday, November 21, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. More info.
Posted in African American, arts organizations, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, Tennessee Williams, The Train Driver, theatre
Tagged Anastasia Coon, award, Beverly Hills, Citizen: An American Lyric, Claudia Rankine, Fountain Theatre, Herb Wesson, I and You, Jennifer Finch, Jeremy Pivnick, Lauren Gunderson, Los Angeles, Matthew Hancock, NAACP Theater Awards, nominations, Saban Theatre, Stephen Sachs, Tom Buderwitz
Tamlyn Tomita and Juanita Jennings in ‘Heart Song’
Our 2013 Fountain Theatre World Premiere production of Heart Song has been nominated for 2 NAACP Theatre Awards for excellence in acting and choreography. Juanita Jennings has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress and Maria Bermudez for Best Choreography. The 24th Annual NAACP Awards ceremony will be held Monday, November 17, at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.
Written by Stephen Sachs and directed by Shirley Jo Finney, our 2013 world premiere of Heart Song earned rave reviews andan extended run. In this funny and touching comedy/drama, Rochelle is a middle-aged Jewish woman in New York City in the middle of a life crisis. Lost and alone, her life is suddenly changed when she is convinced to take a Flamenco class with other middle-aged women. The Flamenco class and its unforgettable circle of women — all shapes, sizes and colors — lead Rochelle on a journey of sisterhood, faith and discovery of her own deep inner voice.
The NAACP Theatre Awards is presented by the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Branch. The gala is produced for the purpose of honoring artists in the field of entertainment. The branch also celebrates a three-day theatre festival, which provides a platform for theatre artists to express their craft and share their contributions with an audience of their peers, the community and other individuals who celebrate live theatre in Los Angeles.
‘Heart Song’ featured flamenco choreography by Maria Bermudez.
This year’s Awards show will be hosted by Kym Whitley, star of the humorous and poignant docu-series “Raising Whitley”on Oprah Winfrey’sThe OWN Network. The awards show will take place on Monday, November 17, 2014 at 6PM at the historical Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, California.
Full list of NAACP Award nominees.
Posted in Acting, actors, Arts, arts organizations, Dance, Drama, flamenco, Fountain Theatre, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, Theater, theatre
Tagged actors, Flamenco, Fountain Theatre, Heart Song, Jewish, Juanita Jennings, Kym Whitley, Los Angeles, Maria Bermudez, NAACP Theater Awards, Oprah Winfrey, OWN Network, performing arts, plays, Raising Whitley, Saban Theatre, Shirley Jo Finney, Stephen Sachs, theater, theatre, world premiere
Yaelisa and her exciting troupe of fabulous artists returns to Forever Flamenco on Sunday, June 10th at Barnsdall Park for an evening of flamenco collaboration and soniquete with a select group of world-class artists. Master musician Jason McGuire” El Rubio” playing his own original compositions and jamming with drummer/percussionist Joey Heredia, accompanied by the great singer Jose Cortes. Yaelisa brings two contrasting bailores together for the first time to dance alongside her – Manuel Gutierrez and Antonio Arrebola, recently moved to the Bay Area from Malaga, Spain. Three distinct styles, aires and dancers together for an unforgettable evening of “FLAMENKEANDO.”
Created and produced by Deborah Lawlor, Forever Flamenco is now in its 9th smash year. “Forever Flamenco is one of the most intense flamenco performances currently running in Los Angeles”, exclaims LA Splash magazine. “Being the sensual, intimate art form that it is … the way you feel when your walk out of a Forever Flamencoperformance is pretty darn fabulous.”
Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer Yaelisa is the founder and artistic director of Caminos Flamencos . Yaelisa creates and presents contemporary, traditional and theatrical dance programs showcasing artists from Spain and the U.S., which reflect the changing face of flamenco in the 21st century, while preserving the history and culture of this traditional art form. The Los Angeles Times has said of her “Yaelisa created a kind of footwork fugue, her quicksilver rhythms overlapping their plaintive croonings in something Bach would have admired.”
At the age of four, Yaelisa danced on the stage of the famous Casa Madrid, and her immersion in flamenco culture became a part of her life because of her mother, the renowned singer/dancer Isa Mura. She has performed with many of Spains finest artists, including Alejandro Granados, Antonio El Pipa, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Domingo Ortega, Enrique El Extremeno, Yeye de Cádiz, Mateo Soleá, El Junco, Juan Ogalla, Geronimo, Felipe Maya and others. Since 1986, Yaelisa has spent extensive periods of time living and performing in Spain, presenting her choreography there and in the U.S. She has choreographed and appeared in several feature films and music videos, and created many highly acclaimed productions both for her company and as Artistic Director of the New World Flamenco Festival at the Irvine Barclay Theater in Irvine, CA. Combining artists from Spain and the U.S., Caminos Flamencos remains on the cutting edge of flamenco, most especially with their recent productions of CANCIONES and CANCIONES 2 where they explored combining flamenco with the music of the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Dave Brubeck and others…. dance critic Rachel Howard says “A Caminos Flamencos performance brings several guarantees: virtuosic music, striking lighting and a closing tour-de-force solo by artistic director Yaelisa to draw shouts of ‘olé!’”
Jason McGuire
Jason McGuire “El Rubio” has become synonymous with flamenco despite his Irish/American heritage. With over 30 years playing experience and concerts from coast to coast he has been for many years the guitarist other professional players come to help learn and hone their craft. As Musical Director of the award winning flamenco dance company Caminos Flamencos as well as Musical Director for “The New World Flamenco Festival,” Jason has shared the stage with some of the top flamenco artists in the world today as well as other legendary performers like Carlos Santana, Savion Glover and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. Along with his Emmy Award winning wife, flamenco dance extraordinaire Yaelisa, the two have forged the path for authentic as well as experimental flamenco through their groundbreaking productions. Jason’s album “Distancias” has received much critical acclaim and his compositions have been compared to some of Spain’s most important guitarists.
“When I first heard Jason play guitar, I was in awe of his talent and the fluidity of his style. He has an incredible knowledge of flamenco combined with an electic modern fusion jazz sensibility. His melodic and rhythmic sense spun my head around and I wanted to hear MORE! He is unique in a world of a million guitarists.” – Grammy Nominated Engineer/Producer, Cookie Marenco
“I love the passion Jason McGuire puts in his music and guitar playing. He has nice energy reflecting from his guitar with excellent technique and crispy sound. I enjoy his music and compositions a lot.” – Nuevo Flamenco Legend, Armik
“When he plays I feel as though I am back in Spain performing with my family and friends. His playing is so strong and powerful it is like three guitars playing at once.” – Gypsy Flamenco Singer, Jesus Montoya “El Genio Gitano”
Forever Flamenco June 10 (323) 663-1525More Info
Posted in Arts, Dance, dancer, flamenco, performing arts, singer
Tagged Alejandro Granados, Anotnio Arrebola, Antonio El Pipa, Armik, Barnsdall Art Park, Beatles, Caminos Flamencos, Carlos Santana, Cookie Marenco, Dance, Dave Brubeck, Deborah Lawlor, Domingo Ortega, El Junco, El Rubio, Enrique El Extremeno, Felipe Maya, Flamenco, flamenco dancing, flamenco guitar, FLAMENKEANDO, Forever Flamenco, Fountain Theatre, Geronimo, Jason McGuire, Jesus Montoya, Joey Heredia, Jose Cortes, Juan Ogalla, Los Angeles, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Manuel Gutierrez, Mateo Soleá, Savion Glover, Stevie Wonder, The New World Flamenco Festival, Wynton Marsalis, Yaelisa, Yeye de Cádiz
Yaelisa and her exciting troupe of fabulous artists returns to Forever Flamenco on Sunday, June 10th at Barnsdall Park for an evening of flamenco collaboration and soniquete with a select group of world-class artists. Master musician Jason McGuire” El Rubio” playing his own original compositions and jamming with drummer/percussionist Joey Heredia, accompanied by the great singer Jose Cortes. Yaelisa brings two contrasting bailores together for the first time to dance alongside her – Manuel Gutierrez and Antonio Arrebola, recently moved to the Bay Area from Malaga, Spain. Three distinct styles, aires and dancers together for an unforgettable evening of “FLAMENKEANDO.”
Created and produced by Deborah Lawlor, Forever Flamenco is now in its 9th smash year. “Forever Flamenco is one of the most intense flamenco performances currently running in Los Angeles”, exclaims LA Splash magazine. “Being the sensual, intimate art form that it is … the way you feel when your walk out of a Forever Flamencoperformance is pretty darn fabulous.”
Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer Yaelisa is the founder and artistic director of Caminos Flamencos . Yaelisa creates and presents contemporary, traditional and theatrical dance programs showcasing artists from Spain and the U.S., which reflect the changing face of flamenco in the 21st century, while preserving the history and culture of this traditional art form. The Los Angeles Times has said of her “Yaelisa created a kind of footwork fugue, her quicksilver rhythms overlapping their plaintive croonings in something Bach would have admired.”
At the age of four, Yaelisa danced on the stage of the famous Casa Madrid, and her immersion in flamenco culture became a part of her life because of her mother, the renowned singer/dancer Isa Mura. She has performed with many of Spains finest artists, including Alejandro Granados, Antonio El Pipa, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Domingo Ortega, Enrique El Extremeno, Yeye de Cádiz, Mateo Soleá, El Junco, Juan Ogalla, Geronimo, Felipe Maya and others. Since 1986, Yaelisa has spent extensive periods of time living and performing in Spain, presenting her choreography there and in the U.S. She has choreographed and appeared in several feature films and music videos, and created many highly acclaimed productions both for her company and as Artistic Director of the New World Flamenco Festival at the Irvine Barclay Theater in Irvine, CA. Combining artists from Spain and the U.S., Caminos Flamencos remains on the cutting edge of flamenco, most especially with their recent productions of CANCIONES and CANCIONES 2 where they explored combining flamenco with the music of the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Dave Brubeck and others…. dance critic Rachel Howard says “A Caminos Flamencos performance brings several guarantees: virtuosic music, striking lighting and a closing tour-de-force solo by artistic director Yaelisa to draw shouts of ‘olé!’”
Jason McGuire
Jason McGuire “El Rubio” has become synonymous with flamenco despite his Irish/American heritage. With over 30 years playing experience and concerts from coast to coast he has been for many years the guitarist other professional players come to help learn and hone their craft. As Musical Director of the award winning flamenco dance company Caminos Flamencos as well as Musical Director for “The New World Flamenco Festival,” Jason has shared the stage with some of the top flamenco artists in the world today as well as other legendary performers like Carlos Santana, Savion Glover and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. Along with his Emmy Award winning wife, flamenco dance extraordinaire Yaelisa, the two have forged the path for authentic as well as experimental flamenco through their groundbreaking productions. Jason’s album “Distancias” has received much critical acclaim and his compositions have been compared to some of Spain’s most important guitarists.
“When I first heard Jason play guitar, I was in awe of his talent and the fluidity of his style. He has an incredible knowledge of flamenco combined with an electic modern fusion jazz sensibility. His melodic and rhythmic sense spun my head around and I wanted to hear MORE! He is unique in a world of a million guitarists.” – Grammy Nominated Engineer/Producer, Cookie Marenco
“I love the passion Jason McGuire puts in his music and guitar playing. He has nice energy reflecting from his guitar with excellent technique and crispy sound. I enjoy his music and compositions a lot.” – Nuevo Flamenco Legend, Armik
“When he plays I feel as though I am back in Spain performing with my family and friends. His playing is so strong and powerful it is like three guitars playing at once.” – Gypsy Flamenco Singer, Jesus Montoya “El Genio Gitano”
Forever Flamenco June 10 (323) 663-1525More Info
Posted in Arts, Dance, dancer, flamenco, performing arts, singer
Tagged Alejandro Granados, Anotnio Arrebola, Antonio El Pipa, Armik, Barnsdall Art Park, Beatles, Caminos Flamencos, Carlos Santana, Cookie Marenco, Dance, Dave Brubeck, Deborah Lawlor, Domingo Ortega, El Junco, El Rubio, Enrique El Extremeno, Felipe Maya, Flamenco, flamenco dancing, flamenco guitar, FLAMENKEANDO, Forever Flamenco, Fountain Theatre, Geronimo, Jason McGuire, Jesus Montoya, Joey Heredia, Jose Cortes, Juan Ogalla, Los Angeles, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Manuel Gutierrez, Mateo Soleá, Savion Glover, Stevie Wonder, The New World Flamenco Festival, Wynton Marsalis, Yaelisa, Yeye de Cádiz
Yaelisa and her exciting troupe of fabulous artists returns to Forever Flamenco on Sunday, June 10th at Barnsdall Park for an evening of flamenco collaboration and soniquete with a select group of world-class artists. Master musician Jason McGuire” El Rubio” playing his own original compositions and jamming with drummer/percussionist Joey Heredia, accompanied by the great singer Jose Cortes. Yaelisa brings two contrasting bailores together for the first time to dance alongside her – Manuel Gutierrez and Antonio Arrebola, recently moved to the Bay Area from Malaga, Spain. Three distinct styles, aires and dancers together for an unforgettable evening of “FLAMENKEANDO.”
Created and produced by Deborah Lawlor, Forever Flamenco is now in its 9th smash year. “Forever Flamenco is one of the most intense flamenco performances currently running in Los Angeles”, exclaims LA Splash magazine. “Being the sensual, intimate art form that it is … the way you feel when your walk out of a Forever Flamencoperformance is pretty darn fabulous.”
Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer Yaelisa is the founder and artistic director of Caminos Flamencos . Yaelisa creates and presents contemporary, traditional and theatrical dance programs showcasing artists from Spain and the U.S., which reflect the changing face of flamenco in the 21st century, while preserving the history and culture of this traditional art form. The Los Angeles Times has said of her “Yaelisa created a kind of footwork fugue, her quicksilver rhythms overlapping their plaintive croonings in something Bach would have admired.”
At the age of four, Yaelisa danced on the stage of the famous Casa Madrid, and her immersion in flamenco culture became a part of her life because of her mother, the renowned singer/dancer Isa Mura. She has performed with many of Spains finest artists, including Alejandro Granados, Antonio El Pipa, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Domingo Ortega, Enrique El Extremeno, Yeye de Cádiz, Mateo Soleá, El Junco, Juan Ogalla, Geronimo, Felipe Maya and others. Since 1986, Yaelisa has spent extensive periods of time living and performing in Spain, presenting her choreography there and in the U.S. She has choreographed and appeared in several feature films and music videos, and created many highly acclaimed productions both for her company and as Artistic Director of the New World Flamenco Festival at the Irvine Barclay Theater in Irvine, CA. Combining artists from Spain and the U.S., Caminos Flamencos remains on the cutting edge of flamenco, most especially with their recent productions of CANCIONES and CANCIONES 2 where they explored combining flamenco with the music of the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Dave Brubeck and others…. dance critic Rachel Howard says “A Caminos Flamencos performance brings several guarantees: virtuosic music, striking lighting and a closing tour-de-force solo by artistic director Yaelisa to draw shouts of ‘olé!’”
Jason McGuire
Jason McGuire “El Rubio” has become synonymous with flamenco despite his Irish/American heritage. With over 30 years playing experience and concerts from coast to coast he has been for many years the guitarist other professional players come to help learn and hone their craft. As Musical Director of the award winning flamenco dance company Caminos Flamencos as well as Musical Director for “The New World Flamenco Festival,” Jason has shared the stage with some of the top flamenco artists in the world today as well as other legendary performers like Carlos Santana, Savion Glover and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. Along with his Emmy Award winning wife, flamenco dance extraordinaire Yaelisa, the two have forged the path for authentic as well as experimental flamenco through their groundbreaking productions. Jason’s album “Distancias” has received much critical acclaim and his compositions have been compared to some of Spain’s most important guitarists.
“When I first heard Jason play guitar, I was in awe of his talent and the fluidity of his style. He has an incredible knowledge of flamenco combined with an electic modern fusion jazz sensibility. His melodic and rhythmic sense spun my head around and I wanted to hear MORE! He is unique in a world of a million guitarists.” – Grammy Nominated Engineer/Producer, Cookie Marenco
“I love the passion Jason McGuire puts in his music and guitar playing. He has nice energy reflecting from his guitar with excellent technique and crispy sound. I enjoy his music and compositions a lot.” – Nuevo Flamenco Legend, Armik
“When he plays I feel as though I am back in Spain performing with my family and friends. His playing is so strong and powerful it is like three guitars playing at once.” – Gypsy Flamenco Singer, Jesus Montoya “El Genio Gitano”
Forever Flamenco June 10 (323) 663-1525More Info
Posted in Arts, Dance, dancer, flamenco, performing arts, singer
Tagged Alejandro Granados, Anotnio Arrebola, Antonio El Pipa, Armik, Barnsdall Art Park, Beatles, Caminos Flamencos, Carlos Santana, Cookie Marenco, Dance, Dave Brubeck, Deborah Lawlor, Domingo Ortega, El Junco, El Rubio, Enrique El Extremeno, Felipe Maya, Flamenco, flamenco dancing, flamenco guitar, FLAMENKEANDO, Forever Flamenco, Fountain Theatre, Geronimo, Jason McGuire, Jesus Montoya, Joey Heredia, Jose Cortes, Juan Ogalla, Los Angeles, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Manuel Gutierrez, Mateo Soleá, Savion Glover, Stevie Wonder, The New World Flamenco Festival, Wynton Marsalis, Yaelisa, Yeye de Cádiz
Yaelisa and her exciting troupe of fabulous artists returns to Forever Flamenco on Sunday, June 10th at Barnsdall Park for an evening of flamenco collaboration and soniquete with a select group of world-class artists. Master musician Jason McGuire” El Rubio” playing his own original compositions and jamming with drummer/percussionist Joey Heredia, accompanied by the great singer Jose Cortes. Yaelisa brings two contrasting bailores together for the first time to dance alongside her – Manuel Gutierrez and Antonio Arrebola, recently moved to the Bay Area from Malaga, Spain. Three distinct styles, aires and dancers together for an unforgettable evening of “FLAMENKEANDO.”
Created and produced by Deborah Lawlor, Forever Flamenco is now in its 9th smash year. “Forever Flamenco is one of the most intense flamenco performances currently running in Los Angeles”, exclaims LA Splash magazine. “Being the sensual, intimate art form that it is … the way you feel when your walk out of a Forever Flamencoperformance is pretty darn fabulous.”
Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer Yaelisa is the founder and artistic director of Caminos Flamencos . Yaelisa creates and presents contemporary, traditional and theatrical dance programs showcasing artists from Spain and the U.S., which reflect the changing face of flamenco in the 21st century, while preserving the history and culture of this traditional art form. The Los Angeles Times has said of her “Yaelisa created a kind of footwork fugue, her quicksilver rhythms overlapping their plaintive croonings in something Bach would have admired.”
At the age of four, Yaelisa danced on the stage of the famous Casa Madrid, and her immersion in flamenco culture became a part of her life because of her mother, the renowned singer/dancer Isa Mura. She has performed with many of Spains finest artists, including Alejandro Granados, Antonio El Pipa, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Domingo Ortega, Enrique El Extremeno, Yeye de Cádiz, Mateo Soleá, El Junco, Juan Ogalla, Geronimo, Felipe Maya and others. Since 1986, Yaelisa has spent extensive periods of time living and performing in Spain, presenting her choreography there and in the U.S. She has choreographed and appeared in several feature films and music videos, and created many highly acclaimed productions both for her company and as Artistic Director of the New World Flamenco Festival at the Irvine Barclay Theater in Irvine, CA. Combining artists from Spain and the U.S., Caminos Flamencos remains on the cutting edge of flamenco, most especially with their recent productions of CANCIONES and CANCIONES 2 where they explored combining flamenco with the music of the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Dave Brubeck and others…. dance critic Rachel Howard says “A Caminos Flamencos performance brings several guarantees: virtuosic music, striking lighting and a closing tour-de-force solo by artistic director Yaelisa to draw shouts of ‘olé!’”
Jason McGuire
Jason McGuire “El Rubio” has become synonymous with flamenco despite his Irish/American heritage. With over 30 years playing experience and concerts from coast to coast he has been for many years the guitarist other professional players come to help learn and hone their craft. As Musical Director of the award winning flamenco dance company Caminos Flamencos as well as Musical Director for “The New World Flamenco Festival,” Jason has shared the stage with some of the top flamenco artists in the world today as well as other legendary performers like Carlos Santana, Savion Glover and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. Along with his Emmy Award winning wife, flamenco dance extraordinaire Yaelisa, the two have forged the path for authentic as well as experimental flamenco through their groundbreaking productions. Jason’s album “Distancias” has received much critical acclaim and his compositions have been compared to some of Spain’s most important guitarists.
“When I first heard Jason play guitar, I was in awe of his talent and the fluidity of his style. He has an incredible knowledge of flamenco combined with an electic modern fusion jazz sensibility. His melodic and rhythmic sense spun my head around and I wanted to hear MORE! He is unique in a world of a million guitarists.” – Grammy Nominated Engineer/Producer, Cookie Marenco
“I love the passion Jason McGuire puts in his music and guitar playing. He has nice energy reflecting from his guitar with excellent technique and crispy sound. I enjoy his music and compositions a lot.” – Nuevo Flamenco Legend, Armik
“When he plays I feel as though I am back in Spain performing with my family and friends. His playing is so strong and powerful it is like three guitars playing at once.” – Gypsy Flamenco Singer, Jesus Montoya “El Genio Gitano”
Forever Flamenco June 10 (323) 663-1525More Info
Posted in Arts, Dance, dancer, flamenco, performing arts, singer
Tagged Alejandro Granados, Anotnio Arrebola, Antonio El Pipa, Armik, Barnsdall Art Park, Beatles, Caminos Flamencos, Carlos Santana, Cookie Marenco, Dance, Dave Brubeck, Deborah Lawlor, Domingo Ortega, El Junco, El Rubio, Enrique El Extremeno, Felipe Maya, Flamenco, flamenco dancing, flamenco guitar, FLAMENKEANDO, Forever Flamenco, Fountain Theatre, Geronimo, Jason McGuire, Jesus Montoya, Joey Heredia, Jose Cortes, Juan Ogalla, Los Angeles, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Manuel Gutierrez, Mateo Soleá, Savion Glover, Stevie Wonder, The New World Flamenco Festival, Wynton Marsalis, Yaelisa, Yeye de Cádiz
Election Day has come and gone. As of this writing, millions of ballots are still being counted. The process may be slow and frustrating, but taking the time to make sure every voice, every vote, is heard and counted is American democracy in action. It’s why the Fountain Theatre launched its get-out-the-vote project, Raise Your Voice – Vote!, that lived in public spaces across Los Angeles on October 24th and 25th. The fact that you joined us and took action – that you raised your voice, you cast your vote, made your selfie videos encouraging others to do the same – means that you were a vitally important part of the process. And we wanted to say thank you. Thank you for participating, from the bottom of our hearts.
Over that last weekend in October, Raise Your Voice – Vote! actors Victor Anthony, Jessica Emmanuel, Wonjung Kim, Theo Perkins and Rayne J. Rayney – all COVID-tested, properly masked and with a supply of PPE’s – popped up at a variety of culturally different communities across Los Angeles with a mission to activate voter participation via socially-distanced guerrilla-style theatre. Raise Your Voice – Vote! was conceived by the Fountain’s Community Engagement Coordinator France Luce Benson, and co-directed by Benson and dancer/choreographer Lily Ockwell. It utilized some of America’s most iconic speeches about voting rights to create a choreographed collection of 10-minute theatre pieces, augmented with bits of song and movement, that were performed in front of surprised and appreciative audiences at Union Station, Little Tokyo, Fig and 7th Shopping Center, Leimert Park, Pan Pacific Park and Balboa Park.
“We wanted to create an event that was inspirational, but never didactic,” explained Benson. “The performers were in conversation with each other and with the people around them, blending, respecting and embracing whichever community we were in.”
The actors were supported in their travels and performances by Fountain staff and, for the first time ever, a wonderful group of recruited volunteers. (For more information on volunteer opportunities at the Fountain, please email me at [email protected].) Raise Your Voice – Vote! was also presented in partnership with the volunteer group Big Sunday and The Social Ripple Effect, a non-profit organization committed to global change through local action. As part of our get-out-the-vote effort, SRE was on hand to distribute literature briefly outlining the significant propositions also on this year’s ballot.
The Raise Your Voice – Vote! performances were live-streamed throughout the weekend on the Fountain’s website and its Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram pages. Those live feeds were supplemented by the afore-mentioned selfie videos, posted hourly, that were submitted by actors, directors and producers; Fountain patrons, staff and board members; colleagues within the LA theatre community-at-large; plus educators and students, business leaders and soccer moms, and more. Dozens of videos flowed in, all of them with personal observations about the urgent need to vote in this, “the most important election of our lifetime.” They were witty. Heartfelt. Serious. Reflective. One video was even sung, a cappella, as a comedic duet version of The Star Spangled Banner! But all of them, in their own unique ways, were impassioned calls to action.
So, thank you for answering the call. For being part of a record-breaking turnout of voters who stood up and had the courage to say, with your vote, These are the people, the propositions and the measures I believe will best be of service to me and my country.
Still, we all know it’s not a fair election unless every voice is heard. And because the laws that govern when ballots can be opened and counted vary by location, a full and complete ballot count is going to take awhile. Unfortunately, there are those who are actively trying to halt this process and silence all those voices. We urge you: Don’t let them.
Raise your voice one more time and demand that every single vote be counted. Send a text, make a phone call, sign the petitions that are probably clogging your inbox right now. Take action. Stay involved.
In the meantime, while votes continue to be counted, enjoy these photos from the many stirring public performances of Raise Your Voice – Vote! And reflect on these words from Lyndon B. Johnson, which were part of the Raise Your Voice —Vote! live experience:
“Our mission is, at once, the oldest and the most basic of this country: to right wrong, to do justice, to serve man…Our fathers believed that if this noble view of the rights of man was to flourish, it must be rooted in democracy. The most basic right of all was the right to choose your own leaders. The history of this country, in large measure, is the history of the expansion of that right to all of our people. Many of the issues of civil rights are very complex and most difficult. But about this, there can, and should be, no argument. Every American citizen must have an equal right to vote. There is no reason which can excuse the denial of that right. There is no duty which weighs more heavily on us than the duty we have to ensure that right.”
— Lyndon B. Johnson, March 15, 1965
Terri Roberts is a freelance writer and the Coordinator of Fountain Friends, the Fountain Theatre’s new volunteer program. She also manages the Fountain Theatre Café.
Posted in Fountain Theatre
Tagged Fountain Theatre, France-Luce Benson, Jessica Emmanuel, Lily Ockwell, Los Angeles, Raise Your Voice: Vote, Rayne J. Raney, Terri Roberts, Theo Perkins, Victor Anthony, vote, Wonjung Kim
Actors in rehearsal for Raise Your Voice.
The Fountain Theatre is readying Raise Your Voice – Vote!, a guerrilla style, immersive theater event set to take place over the course of two days at six locations throughout the City of Los Angeles. Watch the live-stream every hour on the hour beginning at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Oct. 25 at www.FountainTheatre.com.
Conceived by acclaimed playwright and Fountain Theatre community engagement coordinator France-Luce Benson and co-directed by Benson and Lily Ockwell, Raise Your Voice – Vote!aims to build momentum and awareness about the upcoming election while bringing theater for the people to the people. The five-member acting ensemble (Victor Anthony, Jessica Emmanuel, Wonjung Kim, Theo Perkins and Rayne J. Raney) will present a series of pop up performances in six public spaces, each representative of L.A.’s cultural landscape. Each performance will feature America’s most iconic speeches about voting rights, plus dance and song. Volunteers will be stationed at every location to offer assistance with voter registration and voter education.
“We want to create an event that is inspirational, but never didactic,” explains Benson. “The performers will be in conversation with each other and with the people around them, blending in, respecting and embracing whichever community we’re in.”
Each of the performances will be live-streamed and will also be augmented by a series of surprise appearances, posts and performances on the Fountain Theatre’s social media pages in support of voter awareness.
Send Us Your Selfie on Voting
Want to engage in the Fountain’s newest project? We want you to upload a short selfie video (2 mins or less) of yourself expressing how important it is to vote. Nothing fancy. Can literally be taken on a smartphone. Just speak from your heart. Be passionate. What does voting mean to you? Why does voting matter? Do you have a personal story about voting? These video selfies will air at the top of each hour, from 10am to 6pm, on all Fountain social platforms and website.
Important:
You (we) cannot endorse a specific candidate.
Do not mention Trump or Biden by name.
Shoot your selfie horizontal, not vertical.
The purpose of the event is to use theatre as a trigger to activate the public to vote, to emphasize the responsibility of voting, to remind each other of the price some have paid to vote, to express the urgency to participate in this election and in our democracy.
Raise Your Voice – Vote! is produced by Stephen Sachs and Simon Levy for the Fountain Theatre. James Bennett is live-stream editor, and Terri Roberts is volunteer coordinator. The event is underwritten by Miles and Joni Benickes, Diana Buckhantz, Karen Kondazian, Maggi Phillips, Susan Stockel, Dorothy Wolpert, and Don and Suzanne Zachary. Event partners include volunteer organizations The Social Ripple Effect and Big Sunday.
For more information, to find out how you can volunteer and to live-stream Raise Your Voice –Vote! on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, go to www.fountaintheatre.com.
Posted in Arts, arts organizations, Fountain Theatre, Hollywood, Livestream, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, Online, performing arts, plays, Social justice, Theater, theatre
Tagged Diana Buckhantz, Don Zachary, Dorothy Wolpert, Fountain Theatre, France-Luce Benson, immersive, James Bennett, Jessica Emmanuel, Karen Kondazian, Lily Ockwell, livestream, Los Angeles, Maggi Phillips, Miles Benickes, Raise Your Voice, Rayne J. Raney, Simon Levy, Social Ripple Effect, Stephen Sachs, Susan Stockel, Terri Roberts, Theo Perkins, Victor Anthony, Wonjung Kim
Yaelisa and her exciting troupe of fabulous artists returns to Forever Flamenco on Sunday, June 10th at Barnsdall Park for an evening of flamenco collaboration and soniquete with a select group of world-class artists. Master musician Jason McGuire” El Rubio” playing his own original compositions and jamming with drummer/percussionist Joey Heredia, accompanied by the great singer Jose Cortes. Yaelisa brings two contrasting bailores together for the first time to dance alongside her – Manuel Gutierrez and Antonio Arrebola, recently moved to the Bay Area from Malaga, Spain. Three distinct styles, aires and dancers together for an unforgettable evening of “FLAMENKEANDO.”
Created and produced by Deborah Lawlor, Forever Flamenco is now in its 9th smash year. “Forever Flamenco is one of the most intense flamenco performances currently running in Los Angeles”, exclaims LA Splash magazine. “Being the sensual, intimate art form that it is … the way you feel when your walk out of a Forever Flamencoperformance is pretty darn fabulous.”
Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer Yaelisa is the founder and artistic director of Caminos Flamencos . Yaelisa creates and presents contemporary, traditional and theatrical dance programs showcasing artists from Spain and the U.S., which reflect the changing face of flamenco in the 21st century, while preserving the history and culture of this traditional art form. The Los Angeles Times has said of her “Yaelisa created a kind of footwork fugue, her quicksilver rhythms overlapping their plaintive croonings in something Bach would have admired.”
At the age of four, Yaelisa danced on the stage of the famous Casa Madrid, and her immersion in flamenco culture became a part of her life because of her mother, the renowned singer/dancer Isa Mura. She has performed with many of Spains finest artists, including Alejandro Granados, Antonio El Pipa, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Domingo Ortega, Enrique El Extremeno, Yeye de Cádiz, Mateo Soleá, El Junco, Juan Ogalla, Geronimo, Felipe Maya and others. Since 1986, Yaelisa has spent extensive periods of time living and performing in Spain, presenting her choreography there and in the U.S. She has choreographed and appeared in several feature films and music videos, and created many highly acclaimed productions both for her company and as Artistic Director of the New World Flamenco Festival at the Irvine Barclay Theater in Irvine, CA. Combining artists from Spain and the U.S., Caminos Flamencos remains on the cutting edge of flamenco, most especially with their recent productions of CANCIONES and CANCIONES 2 where they explored combining flamenco with the music of the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Dave Brubeck and others…. dance critic Rachel Howard says “A Caminos Flamencos performance brings several guarantees: virtuosic music, striking lighting and a closing tour-de-force solo by artistic director Yaelisa to draw shouts of ‘olé!’”
Jason McGuire
Jason McGuire “El Rubio” has become synonymous with flamenco despite his Irish/American heritage. With over 30 years playing experience and concerts from coast to coast he has been for many years the guitarist other professional players come to help learn and hone their craft. As Musical Director of the award winning flamenco dance company Caminos Flamencos as well as Musical Director for “The New World Flamenco Festival,” Jason has shared the stage with some of the top flamenco artists in the world today as well as other legendary performers like Carlos Santana, Savion Glover and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. Along with his Emmy Award winning wife, flamenco dance extraordinaire Yaelisa, the two have forged the path for authentic as well as experimental flamenco through their groundbreaking productions. Jason’s album “Distancias” has received much critical acclaim and his compositions have been compared to some of Spain’s most important guitarists.
“When I first heard Jason play guitar, I was in awe of his talent and the fluidity of his style. He has an incredible knowledge of flamenco combined with an electic modern fusion jazz sensibility. His melodic and rhythmic sense spun my head around and I wanted to hear MORE! He is unique in a world of a million guitarists.” – Grammy Nominated Engineer/Producer, Cookie Marenco
“I love the passion Jason McGuire puts in his music and guitar playing. He has nice energy reflecting from his guitar with excellent technique and crispy sound. I enjoy his music and compositions a lot.” – Nuevo Flamenco Legend, Armik
“When he plays I feel as though I am back in Spain performing with my family and friends. His playing is so strong and powerful it is like three guitars playing at once.” – Gypsy Flamenco Singer, Jesus Montoya “El Genio Gitano”
Forever Flamenco June 10 (323) 663-1525More Info
Posted in Arts, Dance, dancer, flamenco, performing arts, singer
Tagged Alejandro Granados, Anotnio Arrebola, Antonio El Pipa, Armik, Barnsdall Art Park, Beatles, Caminos Flamencos, Carlos Santana, Cookie Marenco, Dance, Dave Brubeck, Deborah Lawlor, Domingo Ortega, El Junco, El Rubio, Enrique El Extremeno, Felipe Maya, Flamenco, flamenco dancing, flamenco guitar, FLAMENKEANDO, Forever Flamenco, Fountain Theatre, Geronimo, Jason McGuire, Jesus Montoya, Joey Heredia, Jose Cortes, Juan Ogalla, Los Angeles, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Manuel Gutierrez, Mateo Soleá, Savion Glover, Stevie Wonder, The New World Flamenco Festival, Wynton Marsalis, Yaelisa, Yeye de Cádiz
Yaelisa and her exciting troupe of fabulous artists returns to Forever Flamenco on Sunday, June 10th at Barnsdall Park for an evening of flamenco collaboration and soniquete with a select group of world-class artists. Master musician Jason McGuire” El Rubio” playing his own original compositions and jamming with drummer/percussionist Joey Heredia, accompanied by the great singer Jose Cortes. Yaelisa brings two contrasting bailores together for the first time to dance alongside her – Manuel Gutierrez and Antonio Arrebola, recently moved to the Bay Area from Malaga, Spain. Three distinct styles, aires and dancers together for an unforgettable evening of “FLAMENKEANDO.”
Created and produced by Deborah Lawlor, Forever Flamenco is now in its 9th smash year. “Forever Flamenco is one of the most intense flamenco performances currently running in Los Angeles”, exclaims LA Splash magazine. “Being the sensual, intimate art form that it is … the way you feel when your walk out of a Forever Flamencoperformance is pretty darn fabulous.”
Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer Yaelisa is the founder and artistic director of Caminos Flamencos . Yaelisa creates and presents contemporary, traditional and theatrical dance programs showcasing artists from Spain and the U.S., which reflect the changing face of flamenco in the 21st century, while preserving the history and culture of this traditional art form. The Los Angeles Times has said of her “Yaelisa created a kind of footwork fugue, her quicksilver rhythms overlapping their plaintive croonings in something Bach would have admired.”
At the age of four, Yaelisa danced on the stage of the famous Casa Madrid, and her immersion in flamenco culture became a part of her life because of her mother, the renowned singer/dancer Isa Mura. She has performed with many of Spains finest artists, including Alejandro Granados, Antonio El Pipa, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Domingo Ortega, Enrique El Extremeno, Yeye de Cádiz, Mateo Soleá, El Junco, Juan Ogalla, Geronimo, Felipe Maya and others. Since 1986, Yaelisa has spent extensive periods of time living and performing in Spain, presenting her choreography there and in the U.S. She has choreographed and appeared in several feature films and music videos, and created many highly acclaimed productions both for her company and as Artistic Director of the New World Flamenco Festival at the Irvine Barclay Theater in Irvine, CA. Combining artists from Spain and the U.S., Caminos Flamencos remains on the cutting edge of flamenco, most especially with their recent productions of CANCIONES and CANCIONES 2 where they explored combining flamenco with the music of the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Dave Brubeck and others…. dance critic Rachel Howard says “A Caminos Flamencos performance brings several guarantees: virtuosic music, striking lighting and a closing tour-de-force solo by artistic director Yaelisa to draw shouts of ‘olé!’”
Jason McGuire
Jason McGuire “El Rubio” has become synonymous with flamenco despite his Irish/American heritage. With over 30 years playing experience and concerts from coast to coast he has been for many years the guitarist other professional players come to help learn and hone their craft. As Musical Director of the award winning flamenco dance company Caminos Flamencos as well as Musical Director for “The New World Flamenco Festival,” Jason has shared the stage with some of the top flamenco artists in the world today as well as other legendary performers like Carlos Santana, Savion Glover and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. Along with his Emmy Award winning wife, flamenco dance extraordinaire Yaelisa, the two have forged the path for authentic as well as experimental flamenco through their groundbreaking productions. Jason’s album “Distancias” has received much critical acclaim and his compositions have been compared to some of Spain’s most important guitarists.
“When I first heard Jason play guitar, I was in awe of his talent and the fluidity of his style. He has an incredible knowledge of flamenco combined with an electic modern fusion jazz sensibility. His melodic and rhythmic sense spun my head around and I wanted to hear MORE! He is unique in a world of a million guitarists.” – Grammy Nominated Engineer/Producer, Cookie Marenco
“I love the passion Jason McGuire puts in his music and guitar playing. He has nice energy reflecting from his guitar with excellent technique and crispy sound. I enjoy his music and compositions a lot.” – Nuevo Flamenco Legend, Armik
“When he plays I feel as though I am back in Spain performing with my family and friends. His playing is so strong and powerful it is like three guitars playing at once.” – Gypsy Flamenco Singer, Jesus Montoya “El Genio Gitano”
Forever Flamenco June 10 (323) 663-1525More Info
Posted in Arts, Dance, dancer, flamenco, performing arts, singer
Tagged Alejandro Granados, Anotnio Arrebola, Antonio El Pipa, Armik, Barnsdall Art Park, Beatles, Caminos Flamencos, Carlos Santana, Cookie Marenco, Dance, Dave Brubeck, Deborah Lawlor, Domingo Ortega, El Junco, El Rubio, Enrique El Extremeno, Felipe Maya, Flamenco, flamenco dancing, flamenco guitar, FLAMENKEANDO, Forever Flamenco, Fountain Theatre, Geronimo, Jason McGuire, Jesus Montoya, Joey Heredia, Jose Cortes, Juan Ogalla, Los Angeles, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Manuel Gutierrez, Mateo Soleá, Savion Glover, Stevie Wonder, The New World Flamenco Festival, Wynton Marsalis, Yaelisa, Yeye de Cádiz
Yaelisa and her exciting troupe of fabulous artists returns to Forever Flamenco on Sunday, June 10th at Barnsdall Park for an evening of flamenco collaboration and soniquete with a select group of world-class artists. Master musician Jason McGuire” El Rubio” playing his own original compositions and jamming with drummer/percussionist Joey Heredia, accompanied by the great singer Jose Cortes. Yaelisa brings two contrasting bailores together for the first time to dance alongside her – Manuel Gutierrez and Antonio Arrebola, recently moved to the Bay Area from Malaga, Spain. Three distinct styles, aires and dancers together for an unforgettable evening of “FLAMENKEANDO.”
Created and produced by Deborah Lawlor, Forever Flamenco is now in its 9th smash year. “Forever Flamenco is one of the most intense flamenco performances currently running in Los Angeles”, exclaims LA Splash magazine. “Being the sensual, intimate art form that it is … the way you feel when your walk out of a Forever Flamencoperformance is pretty darn fabulous.”
Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer Yaelisa is the founder and artistic director of Caminos Flamencos . Yaelisa creates and presents contemporary, traditional and theatrical dance programs showcasing artists from Spain and the U.S., which reflect the changing face of flamenco in the 21st century, while preserving the history and culture of this traditional art form. The Los Angeles Times has said of her “Yaelisa created a kind of footwork fugue, her quicksilver rhythms overlapping their plaintive croonings in something Bach would have admired.”
At the age of four, Yaelisa danced on the stage of the famous Casa Madrid, and her immersion in flamenco culture became a part of her life because of her mother, the renowned singer/dancer Isa Mura. She has performed with many of Spains finest artists, including Alejandro Granados, Antonio El Pipa, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Domingo Ortega, Enrique El Extremeno, Yeye de Cádiz, Mateo Soleá, El Junco, Juan Ogalla, Geronimo, Felipe Maya and others. Since 1986, Yaelisa has spent extensive periods of time living and performing in Spain, presenting her choreography there and in the U.S. She has choreographed and appeared in several feature films and music videos, and created many highly acclaimed productions both for her company and as Artistic Director of the New World Flamenco Festival at the Irvine Barclay Theater in Irvine, CA. Combining artists from Spain and the U.S., Caminos Flamencos remains on the cutting edge of flamenco, most especially with their recent productions of CANCIONES and CANCIONES 2 where they explored combining flamenco with the music of the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Dave Brubeck and others…. dance critic Rachel Howard says “A Caminos Flamencos performance brings several guarantees: virtuosic music, striking lighting and a closing tour-de-force solo by artistic director Yaelisa to draw shouts of ‘olé!’”
Jason McGuire
Jason McGuire “El Rubio” has become synonymous with flamenco despite his Irish/American heritage. With over 30 years playing experience and concerts from coast to coast he has been for many years the guitarist other professional players come to help learn and hone their craft. As Musical Director of the award winning flamenco dance company Caminos Flamencos as well as Musical Director for “The New World Flamenco Festival,” Jason has shared the stage with some of the top flamenco artists in the world today as well as other legendary performers like Carlos Santana, Savion Glover and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. Along with his Emmy Award winning wife, flamenco dance extraordinaire Yaelisa, the two have forged the path for authentic as well as experimental flamenco through their groundbreaking productions. Jason’s album “Distancias” has received much critical acclaim and his compositions have been compared to some of Spain’s most important guitarists.
“When I first heard Jason play guitar, I was in awe of his talent and the fluidity of his style. He has an incredible knowledge of flamenco combined with an electic modern fusion jazz sensibility. His melodic and rhythmic sense spun my head around and I wanted to hear MORE! He is unique in a world of a million guitarists.” – Grammy Nominated Engineer/Producer, Cookie Marenco
“I love the passion Jason McGuire puts in his music and guitar playing. He has nice energy reflecting from his guitar with excellent technique and crispy sound. I enjoy his music and compositions a lot.” – Nuevo Flamenco Legend, Armik
“When he plays I feel as though I am back in Spain performing with my family and friends. His playing is so strong and powerful it is like three guitars playing at once.” – Gypsy Flamenco Singer, Jesus Montoya “El Genio Gitano”
Forever Flamenco June 10 (323) 663-1525More Info
Posted in Arts, Dance, dancer, flamenco, performing arts, singer
Tagged Alejandro Granados, Anotnio Arrebola, Antonio El Pipa, Armik, Barnsdall Art Park, Beatles, Caminos Flamencos, Carlos Santana, Cookie Marenco, Dance, Dave Brubeck, Deborah Lawlor, Domingo Ortega, El Junco, El Rubio, Enrique El Extremeno, Felipe Maya, Flamenco, flamenco dancing, flamenco guitar, FLAMENKEANDO, Forever Flamenco, Fountain Theatre, Geronimo, Jason McGuire, Jesus Montoya, Joey Heredia, Jose Cortes, Juan Ogalla, Los Angeles, Manuel and Antonio Malena, Manuel Gutierrez, Mateo Soleá, Savion Glover, Stevie Wonder, The New World Flamenco Festival, Wynton Marsalis, Yaelisa, Yeye de Cádiz
Deanne Bray and Troy Kotsur in “Arrival & Departure”.
by Deanne Bray
Arrival & Departure was quite a journey for Troy and I, both as artists and as husband and wife. It was a journey that was filled with surprises, both personal and professional.
As actors, who happen to be husband and wife, Troy and I dug deep, discovering what it would be like to fall in love all over again. And as Emily and Sam fell in love in the play, Troy and I fell in love all over again. Through the rehearsal process, and through Stephen Sachs’ direction, we found meaningful ways to keep our feelings fresh and real. As we developed our characters, Emily and Sam, we discovered ways to grow their hearts, allowing them to be truly visible to one another. As the weeks went by during the production, our work continued to grow. There were new discoveries —large and small — and we treasured them all. One of my favorite moments was when Emily saw Sam holding back tears as they said their last goodbyes in the final scene. As they looked into each other’s eyes, Sam’s strength —with one teardrop rolling down his cheek — was lovely and heartbreaking for me to watch. It worked for the scene in such a powerful and magical way; making it harder for me, as Emily to let go of Sam, her soul mate.
For years, I have admired Troy’s work on stage and television. We have worked together before on stage, screen and TV, but never opposite one another as a leading man and woman. With Arrival and Departure, Troy and I had the chance to really explore our craft together as actors.
As husband and wife, Arrival & Departure renewed our love for one another. We found a new and powerful spark that shifted our perspectives, and made us even more grateful to have each other. We learned anew how to bring out the best in each other; and were reminded to always pay attention to each other, despite the daily struggles of life.
In rehearsal for “Arrival & Departure.”
Arrival & Departure was a unique production in the way theatre, film, and technology were utilized to tell this story about two different communities —Deaf and Hearing — in a thoroughly contemporary and accessible way. This story reminded us to take a step back and celebrate what we have — (or if necessary to be brave enough to make a change).
Another memory that stands out. My daughter’s friend from school came to see the play with her parents on Kyra’s birthday (with Kyra performing). Troy noticed the father smoking in the parking lot while his family was getting the tickets. Troy read his body language as a restless man who probably did not want to be there and half-heartedly followed his family into the theatre. I learned later from the mother, that after the show, the father was speechless and talked nonstop about Arrival & Departure on the way home. Seeing how Arrival & Departure affected her husband was very meaningful for her. This kind of art is unique and so imperative as it gives people insight into their own lives.
Troy and I were blessed to be part of Arrival & Departure. The different characters and storylines touched everyone who saw it. We hope that Arrival & Departure will be produced across the country. Its message is powerful: be true to yourself and support the people in your life with love.
Stories at the Fountain Theatre like The Chosen, Arrival & Departure, and Cost of Living can change people in powerful ways with inspiration, hope and connection.
Deanne Bray is an actress and teacher.
Click here to support the Fountain Theatre.
This entry was posted in Acting, actors, Arts, arts organizations, Deaf, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, stage, Theater, theatre and tagged actor, American Sign Language, Arrival & Departure, ASL, deaf, Deanne Bray, drama, Fountain Theatre, love story, romance, Stephen Sachs, theater, theatre, Troy Kotsur. Bookmark the permalink.
Actors in rehearsal for Raise Your Voice.
