On Wednesday April 30th three staged & film actors (Toni Blue, Ronne Haynie & Curnell Tommie Thompson) gathered with their director, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, to rehearse selected works from “Letters to My Young Brother” for a stage reading at Rikers Correctional Facility. The rehearsal, which was scheduled to last for one and half hours, spilled into a three hour poignantly electrifying event. The actors and director uncovered precious jewels hidden between each line of the poems, monologues and dramatic scenes. As the creative conversation developed the production…the actors admired the artistic use of imagery, metaphors and lyrical messages.
The performance was mounted on Friday May 2nd at GMDC to an audience of 30 enthusiastic detainees and invited guests. Kicking off the program were the participants reciting their own poem. One by one, the remaining workshop participants (five were released prior to the performance) – took center stage.
Each participant was met by celebratory applause – as they “high five” and embraced each other. Like proud mentors – the Wardens, Deputies and Correctional Officers beamed as they watched the participants command the stage with confidence and self-esteem. Pride, dignity and honor draped the walls…allowing the participants to absorbed the praise. Finally, the actors took to the stage and mesmerized the audience with the participants’ inspiring words. The audience responded with a chorus of “amens” and out-pours of encouragements. The evening closed – with the participants accepting their new title…”artist.”
The performance was mounted on Friday May 2nd at GMDC to an audience of 30 enthusiastic detainees and invited guests. Kicking off the program were the participants reciting their own poem. One by one, the remaining workshop participants (five were released prior to the performance) – took center stage.
Each participant was met by celebratory applause – as they “high five” and embraced each other. Like proud mentors – the Wardens, Deputies and Correctional Officers beamed as they watched the participants command the stage with confidence and self-esteem. Pride, dignity and honor draped the walls…allowing the participants to absorbed the praise. Finally, the actors took to the stage and mesmerized the audience with the participants’ inspiring words. The audience responded with a chorus of “amens” and out-pours of encouragements. The evening closed – with the participants accepting their new title…”artist.”
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