October awareness

October was a month to remember as Run Boy Run Productions of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia had projects running in not one but two parts of Pennsylvania but also how both projects stand tall to be about social issues within communities of today and that is domestic violence and abuse.

Starting off with Boomerang as it previewed works from the performance piece at the Koresh Dance Showcase. With a story that has never been told, Boomerang is one to bring focus to how children are affected by abuse of in a family specifically African American male as it can often be something that molds them in belief that these actions are how you are suppose to be or want to treat someone even into adulthood. Truth is this story is not limiting and is real in many communities and whit every piece as they unfold many will watch and see someone in this maybe even themselves and understand the need of raising a family under a positive roof can be the true focus for a positive youth.

Our other play Mississippi Smiles has been making a move since its birth from paper a year ago. With a focus on domestic violence and abuse as it effects women that transition from heterosexual to the lgbtq community it brings a big focus as to how it’s often about what baggage we choose to keep in our lives then recognizing how to heal first.

With an all star cast and director to match, Mississippi Smiles was a sold out show and had many wanting more. The understanding of domestic violence and abuse awareness is to see that it’s effects can be felt in many ways, shapes and forms and for us we are glad to bring stories to life that generate not just thought but conversation.

The Dancer soars 

  In every moment we often have to take steps that speak to us years to the day of actual doing. The stage was set black light no sound no movement but we stood in a booth awaiting words to begin the tunes. Jody and I looked at each other then she said play it. The track came on and a voice spoke. Out from the darkness walked a young lady tall thin but strong in stance. 

 
The story had begun with a journey of engagement streaming between childhood to adulthood. She spoke of her times wanting to be free and in those moments the freedom was noticeable through leaps and bounds of a younger version in a tutu prancing with fun bringing life to the eyes that watched until they found moments within the story to tear. 

  
In the mist of this we began to feel our own spiritual movement understand that this story has more than one meaning. In the end many say this as a gospel of not just a dancers life but all as the music and dim lights came outpouring cheers filled the room and three generations of one took a bow Justine understood that this wasn’t the dancers last dance…

The Art of Telling a Story 

  
There is a place of understanding when it comes to writing and Kash has shown that when it’s in honesty people will come out to see it. Over the weekend I had the honor of taking in Mr. Goins play VtoX with an ensemble cast that showed they have what it takes to bring characters to life this show about the many faces that are placed into the judicial system all connect in someway as we learn that this is and always will be big business. What audience, this was definitely worth as wild as it was shown in and interactive state allowing them to be part of the action and with in the breath of the play for many it is probably ring true to home with stories surrounding rape molestation wrongful incarceration abuse and again business. These stories were made to make you cry make you laugh and more than anything make you think to wear as you only can see one thing and that is the truth within the story.

Stone

As men often we are looked at as the stronger sex able to handle all obstacles and take any form of pain that comes our way. Truth be told we are no different from a woman. We want to be loved?”,understood, appreciated and heard. However in relationships we aren’t supposed to show who we really are even if ones mate says that you can be yourself completely. Funny moments happen when a man finally let’s his guard down to his mate often he is met with words like “man up,” “be a real man,” but what’s being missed is that he is and with the assumption that he can finally open up to someone he then reverts back into his shell and becomes the tortes that life only wants to acknowledge. So when you have that moment to finally heT his inner voice see his inner soul let it be ok for it will be a new beginning and the beginning of a prosperous relationship. LOVE

IMG_4926.JPG

News Flash

Rehearsal moment and Donna Griggs is putting on a marvelous performance as a mother in despair in “Missing News”

IMG_4901.JPG
There is nothing worse then the fear and loss of a child. In many cases we never hear the stories of these children but we do see there faces on Facebook or on poles in the inner city but not on the news. The sad thing about media is it can hold a bias to what it shows and over the years those stories of missing minority children had fallen short. With that being said, it is up to us the everyday person to continue putting out Amber alerts in our own way till we see complete change in this missing news view…