List: tacomaart@list.cityoftacoma.org
From: Jared Wigert
Voices of the City, A Unique Community Production, Debuts 10/8 & 10/9
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 5:39 PM
hugely successful venture by organizers and participants alike. Performances and exhibits promise to be exciting, provocative, and full of heart. The VOC performances and exhibits and the entire Fall Free For All programs are free to the public.
A collaboration between EnJoy Productions and BCPA, VOC has been in the works for nearly two years. The participants all applied to be part of VOC, an initiative co-conceived and produced by David Fischer, Executive Director of BCPA. Creative Directors Kevin Joyce and Martha Enson (EnJoy) have designed and led the project, which, according to Martha, "...has been mind-blowing. We never imagined the level of commitment and engagement the participants have brought to this program".
"VOC is our effort to 'animate democracy' by giving voice to those who are not often heard as they express themselves through music, film, story performance and visual arts. We couldn't be more pleased by the process and the outcome," said David Fischer, Broadway Center's Executive Director.
The willing, but by their own admission, apprehensive group all came to six consecutive artist workshops, exposing them to various media and formats for storytelling. Ame Lee, a local art teacher, reflects, "I [was] nervous...but as I play around with ideas I get excited, energized, and more confident!"
Amazingly, nearly all of them attended all workshops, and all have original storytelling art projects to be presented. Rob Collins, a participant and Stabucks (at 11th and Pacific) employee, enthuses that "It's really great: community-building and a process that encourages connectivity. . . the stories have humbled me."
The final group does indeed represent a cross-section of the Tacoma community, from ages 17-70, across racial, socio-economic and cultural spectrums. The result, according to participant Tad Monroe, a pastor and Stadium HS Football Coach, "has been enriching, with a dynamic and interesting group of people. I've really been touched by some of the folks and their stories."
Workshop leaders included spoken word artist Elijah Muied, public art creator Mauricio Rubalino, UWT Art and Social Change Faculty Beverly Naidus and Loraine Leeson, and Poet/Storyteller Merna Hecht.
As they face the culmination of nearly two years of work, the participants' enthusiasm remains as great as ever. "[We're]...having a blast. The energy in undeniable, and I love all the connections I'm making," says Diane Leschel, a Tacoma Power/Click Executive.
Performance and presentations of the eighteen Voices of the City Project will take place Oct. 8 & 9 in and around the Theater District in Theater on the Square and Rehearsal Hall 2, as well as at the History Museum, the Tacoma Dome Link Station, and St. Joes Hospital. Times vary for individual performances. Check online at www.broadwaycenter.org or call the Broadway Center Box Office at 253-591-5894.
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Jared Wigert
Marketing Manager
Broadway Center for the Performing Arts
Phone: 253.573.2368
Fax: 253.591.2013
www.broadwaycenter.org
Pantages Theatre | Rialto Theater | Theatre on the Square
Tickets on sale now! Wanda Sykes (September 16), Margaret Cho (October 28), Joan Rivers (November 4).
Broadway Center Box Office: 253.591.5894.