The Prison Performance Network

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

At Philadelphia's InterAct Theatre March 30- April 1

unFRAMED

written and performed by

Iyaba Ibo Mandingo

directed by Brent Buell

Meet Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, formerly Kenny Athel George DeCruise - painter, poet, husband, father, son, and undocumented immigrant from Antigua. At the age of eleven, Iyaba is plucked from the tropical comfort of his boyhood and taken to life in America where he must navigate his way to manhood without the guidance of a father. Using canvas, paint, poetry, prose and song, Iyaba tells us a story of his transformation from “Mommy Me No Wanna Go Merrica”- a prophetic piece that hints at the many trials he will face in a new land - to his powerful political poetry that would lead to his arrest and attempted deportation in post 9/11 America. Throughout the play Iyaba shares his rage, his determination, and his hope while he paints his self portrait and successfully struggles to redefine his humanity, rediscover his smile, and truly accept himself for the first time.

Next Up:

03/31 - 04/01, 2012

InterAct Theatre

2030 Sansom Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Friday March 30 & Saturday March 31 at 8pm

Sunday, April 1 at 2pm

Tickets & Information: http://bit.ly/unFRAMEDinPhilly

PRIOR PERFORMANCES:

On Monday, February 27, Iyaba and Brent took unFRAMED inside Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, NY at the invitation of the NAACP and the ILC (Prisoner's association). They were thrilled to return to the prison where Iyaba and Brent first met as volunteers in 2001.