Rhodessa Jones, Idris Ackamoor Selected as US Department of State Arts Envoys

Rhodessa Jones and Idris Ackamoor have just been selected as "ARTS ENVOYS" by the U.S. Department of State, Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau!! As two of the Bay Area's most revered artists they received grant support to represent San Francisco as they journey to South Africa to continue their work in collaboration with Urban Voices Festival inside the Naturena Women's Prison in Johannesburg, South Africa and then journey on to participate in the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. This unprecedented support for Cultural Odyssey's international cultural exchange program is testament to the continued artistic vision of Rhodessa and Idris. Sharing their unique brand of "ART AS SOCIAL ACTIVISM" with the global community sheds light on ALL of the exceptional artists who reside and conduct their work in SAN FRANCISCO!!

Sentenced to Shakespeare: Courts and Theater Company Join Forces

Sentenced to Shakespeare: Courts and Theater Company Join Forces

Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA)

New York Times: In Prison, Play With Trial at Its Heart Resonates

ANGOLA, La. — On a December night in 1991, the man who would later play Jesus committed a string of armed robberies in New Orleans. Ten years later, the woman who would play the Virgin Mary robbed a Mexican restaurant across town. A month after that, a teenager killed his girlfriend and infant daughter. He would go on to play Joseph... (more)

Permalink to article: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/05/05/us/20120506-PASSION.html

The Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble Prison Project

Anne Pensalfini (Project Manager) and Rob Pensalfini (Facilitator)

Click here to learn more about the project

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

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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.

Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA -New York)

"Macbeth" performed by men of the RTA Program in Green Haven Prison, NY State from CultureWorks on Vimeo.