| BROADWAY ADVOCACY COALITION Presents A Night of Artivism | |
| Posted by: Official_Press_Release 02:09 pm EDT 08/27/24 | |
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| BROADWAY ADVOCACY COALITION PRESENTS A Night of Artivism at the Playhouse Theater at Abrons Theater Showcasing music-centered artivism in support of the Justice Beyond Punishment Campaign NEW YORK (Tuesday, August 27, 2024) – The Tony Award winning non-profit Broadway Advocacy Coalition (BAC) will present "A Night of Artivism” on Monday, September 16, 2024 at the Playhouse Theater at Abrons Theater (466 Grand Street). This year's event will showcase two main pieces of artivism, created by playwrights and Artivism Fellows Wildin Pierrevil and Ari Afsar. The pieces, titled "Community Safety Song Cycle” and "I Wrote You, Did You Get It,” will feature Tiffany Mann (Jelly's Last Jam, Hercules), Dam Domenech (Rock of Ages), Andrea Prestinario (Jeanette, Fun Home), Adam Hyndman (Tony Award-winning producer), John Clay III (Jelly's Last Jam, New York New York), Ari Grooves (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, Little Shop of Horrors), T. Oliver Reid (Hadestown), Arnold Harper II (Waitress, The Muny), Shaunice Alexander (Ben Platt: Live at the Palace) and will be directed by Kirya Traber and Brandon Michael Nase (Watchnight, PAC NYC). Music Direction will be led by Sujin Kim-Ramsey (CATS: The Jellicle Ball, KPOP) and Brandon Michael Nase. The event will also feature community advocates - Alejo Rodriguez (B.A.T.T.L.E), Nelson Rivera (Fortune Society), Demetrius "6ixx” Similien (Community Capacity Development), Laura Whitehorn (Release Aging People in Prison), Judy Brown Fears (Community Capacity Development), Mimi Pascual (Educate Don't Incarcerate), Nkosi Cain (Touchdown NYC), and Roz Smith (Beyond Incarceration). "This night stands as a beacon of the immense power that art holds in shaping our society. The writers featured are not just storytellers—they are visionaries who dare to challenge the status quo and provoke thought through their words. The impact of this event lies in its ability to stir emotions, ignite conversations, and ultimately, leave a lasting imprint on the hearts and minds of all who experience it." said BAC's Co- Director of Programming, Dria Brown. "This year's Night of Artivism is our most ambitious effort for connecting art and social change. I'm proud of our team and our collaborators for centering narrative change in this year's program,” said BAC President, Britton Smith. "More than ever, our nation is witnessing the impact of divisive stories so the role of artists committed to humanizing, including and honoring the voices of those silenced by oppression is critical.” Ari Afsar's "Community Safety Song Cycle” is a collection of letters and songs that tell an abolition story in service of the Justice Beyond Punishment Collaboration, an initiative dedicated to strengthening our movement efforts for narrative change around violence, punishment and incarceration. With equal ownership and collaboration, Afsar has created five to eight songs with five to eight advocates around what community safety means to them, specifically highlighting the reality that this question needs to be expansive and inclusive because it is not a monolithic experience. The piece covers a range of issues and stories – from uplifting and empowering older women to spearhead community safety (represented in "Hello from the Future,” co-written with an organizer from Community Capacity Development) to shifting the perspectives of federal judges through personal connection to those they sentenced (represented in "Between the Lines,” co-written with an organizer from The Fortune Society). Wildin Pierrevil's "I Wrote You, Did You Get It” follows the intertwined lives of Booker and Salim, two men navigating the challenges of re-entry into society after incarceration. Booker, a young man recently released, struggles to reconnect with his family, especially his sister Daphne and to find his place in a world that has moved on without him. Salim, a mentor to Booker, offers wisdom and guidance, sharing his own experiences and struggles with hope and redemption. The play explores themes of resilience, redemption and the power of community. Through heartfelt dialogues, powerful musical interludes and the support of an ensemble that echoes the collective experiences of the directly impacted, the narrative delves into the complexities of life after prison. As Booker and Salim strive to build new lives, they confront the past, embrace the present and look towards a hopeful future. To learn more or reserve your ticket, click here. As part of BAC's commitment to removing barriers for access to events and activities, admission to A Night of Artivism$10 and $25. Half of proceeds raised will be donated to BAC's partner. The Artivism Fellowship is a 7-month incubation process that provides two participating artist-activists the tools and resources to blend artistry, law, policy, and community engagement to leverage their creative talents to drive meaningful systemic change. This fellowship includes project and financial support, mentorship, networking opportunities, and participation in our Theater of Change course at Columbia Law School. Throughout the program, fellows will be partnered with an advocacy organization, where they will gain valuable insights into the inner workings of the organization, ongoing campaigns, and actively contribute by creating a compelling piece of art that activates the advocacy organization's goals and policy aims. For more information about BAC's Artivism Fellowship, you can visit https://www.bwayadvocacycoalition.org/artivismfellowship. ABOUT THE FELLOWS ARI AFSAR Ari Afsar (she/her) is a Bangladeshi-American singer, songwriter, and storyteller who believes in the power of art changing culture, and culture changing policy. A UCLA Ethnomusicology alum, her album "We Won't Sleep" under Sony Masterworks showcases her diverse talent. She is also the composer of "Jeannette," featured at renowned theaters and institutions, and has opened for influential figures like Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris. She co-founded Until We Do It, which provided 1 million masks to communities disproportionately affected by Covid-19. Currently pursuing an MPA at NYU Wagner, she continues to advocate for change through art, activism, and public service. WILDIN PIERREVIL Wildlin (He/They) is a proud Haitian-American born and raised in Orlando, FL. The most online person you know, Wildlin has garnered a following of over 600,000 and millions of likes with his comedy, creativity, and commentary across digital platforms as @NOTWILDLIN. As an actor, writer, and personality, he's been featured in publications like the Washington Post and is so excited to be sharing his work with you through BAC's initiative. ABOUT THE BROADWAY ADVOCACY COALITION The Broadway Advocacy Coalition is a Tony Award winning arts-based advocacy nonprofit dedicated to building the capacity of individuals, organizations and communities to use storytelling to dismantle the systems that perpetuate racism. Founded in 2016 by several Black members of the Broadway community as a direct response to the nation's pandemic of racism and police brutality, it has since grown into a multidisciplinary organization which unites artists, legal experts and community advocates to create lasting impact and collaborations on policy issues ranging from criminal justice reform to education equity. Via its partnership with the Center for Institutional and Social Change at Columbia Law School, BAC has created its groundbreaking "Theater of Change" methodology and collaborated with public institutions across New York City including the New York City Council and the Brooklyn District Attorney's office. Other recent collaborations including the Gasping for Justice campaign featuring Jesse Williams, Fiona Apple and Alec Baldwin; the 24 Hour Plays "Viral Monologues" featuring DeRay Mckesson, Lynn Nottage and Aja Naomi King; and the Flores Exhibits—in partnership with Waterwell Theater—featuring David Schwimmer, Morena Baccarin and others. Over the last year BAC has built out a number of programs including the Artivism Fellowship, a commission-based program supporting a group of artist-activists over the course of seven months in building their skills as artivists and producing works that catalyze change in the criminal justice landscape; Storytelling for Social Good, a guided storytelling experience that invites everyone to see themselves as an agent of change; and its Change Agent Training workshops, which teach theater industry workers the foundations of labor organizing and community based advocacy. To learn more about their work, and to get involved, visit their website at https://www.bwayadvocacycoalition.org/ or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. |
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