Watts is Tense. But Watts is Rising – By Bruce A. Lemon Jr.

You can hear the medley ringing loud and clear here. You can hear it when the helicopter hovers over your home. You can hear it as you pass young Black and Brown Americans pulled over and cuffed against a wall or sitting on the curb. You feel it when you see law enforcement on the road and even though you’ve done nothing wrong, you hold your breath until they pass. You hear the ringing in sirens. Lights fill the night sky as you read the latest headlines about a lack of charges, a mass shooting, or anything else you wish you didn’t have to navigate to exist. Or perhaps you don’t hear it. Or perhaps you don't hear it...

Yes we have these beautiful towers! But we also have a past of systemic ills that resulted in riots, environmental racism, and a looming reputation. It's what many know us for. It follows us residents wherever we go in life.

We have a future with brand new homes, hundreds of trees, clean safe streets and well equipped schools with Art bursting from every corner. Community organizations, local politicians, and residents are working hard to get us there. There's a Unity Peace March around Ted Watkins Park this Friday evening at 6pm. We'll be out there. Firmly in the middle of a hot summer, known as the killing season in hoods all over America. Tempers are higher than temperatures. Police are more aggressive. It’s important that we show demonstrations of healing now! The inevitable redevelopment of the neighborhood is underway with townhomes being built over bulldozed project buildings, making many wonder if they still have a place here. Children are happily playing in streets, oblivious to the trauma around them being baked into their bodies.

There is a need to heal. A need to talk. A need to process. As artists we are bound by duty to add our voices to the conversation because we know how art saves lives. We know how this tool can help balance the scales. The need for art in Watts is emblematic of the need across the nation. Communities like mine deserve the same access enjoyed by the affluent neighborhoods across town. It shouldn't require a bus ride far from home. Our kids deserve to see themselves represented on stages in their own neighborhoods. We need to bring this resource to the people. In that spirit we bring American Saga - Gun Shot Medley: Part 1 to the community of Watts!
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Rogue Machine Theatre will be producing a dynamic series of plays titled American Saga - Gunshot Medley: Part 1. The first play in the cycle will be "Gun Shot Medley" by Dionna Michelle Daniel. This particular play expresses the ramifications of the recurrent cycle of violence in American Society committed against communities of color, and the resulting trauma passed on through generations. It smartly and elegantly dialogues on issues ranging from systemic racism to historical trauma, and the healing power of artistic expression.

With an impressive team of trained artists at the helm, American Saga - Gunshot Medley: Part 1 will tour to underserved communities in Los Angeles. In these productions art will not be used solely as expression, but as an act of artistic engagement, delving into the controversial themes surrounding violence against people of color. Bridging art to social change, the productions will have voter registration booths throughout the run of the plays to elicit and promote civic action and to allow audiences to actively engage in the democratic process as positive agents of change in the current times.

Historical trauma is described as multigenerational trauma experienced by a specific cultural group. Historical trauma can be experienced by anyone. It may be families marked by severe levels of trauma, poverty, dislocation, war, etc. It is cumulative and collective. The impact of this type of trauma can manifest itself genetically, emotionally, psychologically, and economically.

Gunshot Medley is a unique story of the African American Experience. It exists outside the boundaries of time. This allows us to observe not only present day impacts of violence committed against the African-American community, i.e police brutality; but it also allows us to pull back our lenses and observe this history of violence as it ripples through time in its cyclical and recurrent nature. This first piece attempts a personal exposure of the suffering and toll oppresion has had through history.

Our playwright has written a bold and imaginative narrative that allows us to look at this subject from a more specific, but larger, perspective. You will fall in love with these characters as they walk through the world challenging adversity and seeking cultural and individual identity in a very complex, and at times, dystopian world.

Ava Duvernay says, "If your dream is only about you, it is too small." Collaborative Artists Bloc is an acting company dedicated to bringing together trained and experienced artists to collaborate and create content of human and artistic value for social change. We want to create art that impacts the world around us. American Saga: A Theatrical Ballad is a multi-disciplinary event bringing together story telling, music, and even movement; not in an attempt to be inter-disciplinary, but because these are elements of our humanity. The characters utilized these expressions for survival. So in essence, the plays use the devices of our innate human expression to bring attention to generational and historical violence against people of color. This violence deeply impacts who we are and leaves an imprint on our community. This dialogue on violence is part of an on going saga. In bringing these stories into communities of color, we hope to enrich our audience's perspective, understanding, and strength in this ongoing struggle, and hopefully give some insight of their individual place in the cycle.

It is important for all people to see themselves reflected in art. Seeing characters battle conflicts named, or unamed, in one's everyday life brings about identification, understanding, and is a powerful tool for transformation.

Desean Kevin Terry is a graduate of The Juilliard School. He is an actor and director. Previous works include Suzan Lori Parks' Father Comes Home from the Wars, where he replaced Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown; A Street Car Named Desire at the Boston Court, and Les Blancs at Rogue Machine Theatre, for which he received the 2017 Ticket Holder award for Best Actor in a play. Television credits include Scorpion, Southland, Shameless, ER, Monk, Harry's Law, The Night Shift, Sleeper Cell, House, Grey's Anatomy, NCIS Los Angeles and more. Film credits include Post Grad, God's Army, Somebody's Mother, States of Grace, Bolden. He has been twice nominated by the NAACP for his stage work and was privileged to work with Cicely Tyson, Vanessa Williams, and Blair Underwood on a Tony winning production The Trip to Bountiful, directed by Michael Wilson. As a director, he helmed Behind the Mask: a compilation of plays from the Negro Ensemble Company, James Baldwin's Blues for Mr. Charlie, George C Wolfe's The Colored Museum, Suzan Lori Parks' Imperciptible Mutabilities in the Rhird Kingdom, and more...

Dionna Michelle Daniel is also an actress and vocalist from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is a graduate of California Institute of the Arts with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Creative Writing. Daniel's works address social and political issues surrounding the African-American experience. Her plays include Gunshot Medley (Edinburgh Fringe Festival) and Rain, River, Ocean (CalArts New Works Festival). Gunshot Medley was published in Contemporary Plays by Women of Color. Daniel’s serves as the Outreach Coordinator for the Fountain Theater and teaches creative writing at Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory through an Americorps Fellowship partnership with CAP (Community Arts Partnership). Honors & Residencies: 2017-2018 Core Apprentice at The Playwright's Center.

Keiana Richard is a native of Nashville, TN. She received her MFA from the University of California, San Diego. Since graduating, Keiana has had the honor of working with some of the country's top theatre companies. Her New York credits include Lincoln Center’s Tony nominated Broadway production of Dividing the Estate, The Pearl Theatre Company’s Ghosts, The McCarter Theatre’s Eclipsed, and The Public/Sundance Lab’s reading of Forgotten World. In Los Angeles, Rogue Arts Ensemble’s Wood Boy Dog Fish, The Hudson Theatre’s Good People, and Center Theatre Groups The Trip To Bountiful. Keiana has also had the pleasure of working on-camera in film and TV, with projects such as Mid-City Blue, Adult Swim’s Delocated, and NBC’s The Player. She also has a passion for using art for education and social change, using her skills as a teaching artist for numerous outreach programs such as The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company and The Young Storytellers. She is thrilled to help bring these incredible stories in American Saga: A Theatrical Ballad to life.

Bruce Lemon is a storyteller born and raised in Watts, CA. As a child, his father made him write stories and read them aloud in the hallway as punishment for lies and mischief. He’s still in trouble. Artistic Director of Watts Village. Host of 89.3 KPCC In Person’s UnheardLA. Associate Artistic Director and ensemble member with Cornerstone Theater Company. Illyrian Player. Actor, writer, director, producer, creative collaborator, and the friend your mom likes the most. Hobbies include: Holding a mirror up to America, rabble rousing, chasing dreams, working for the reimagining of his community, listening to the kids and loving everyone. Let’s play! 2016 Princess Grace Award winner. BroadwayWorld LA Award winner. BA - Hampton University, MFA - New School for Drama @BALemonJr / BruceALemonJr.com / WattsVillage.org / CornerstoneTheater.org

Julie Bersani is thrilled to be part of the producing team for American Saga: A Theatrical Ballad. She is a founding member of Ammunition Theatre Company, for which she has produced critically acclaimed The Giant Void in My Soul, How to Raise a Freeman, and Judgment of Fools. Executive Director of Black Poppy Productions, she has also produced films, digital content, music videos, and commercials for artists and clients including John Legend, The Grammys, Aflac, and Nissan. She recently produced award winning short film Dylan, which is now screening in more than 15 festivals and short film Choke, premiering at Outfest on July 21. www.blackpoppyproduction.com

Lysa Myles has loved the Theatre and the Arts since growing up in the Bronx. As an only child, her constant companion was the television, specifically Masterpiece Theatre. Discovering different dialects and genres of television other than what she was used to seeing in her environment was intriguing and made her curious for more, hence her exposure to live stage shows in NYC. After seeing a performance of CATS on Broadway she was hooked. Fast forward to now, where she is finally pushing away the safety net and pursuing her passion and what truly makes her happy. Lysa would like to thank God first and foremost for His grace and guiding her footsteps in the path that she is now taking. She would also like to thank EVERYONE who has supported her on this journey and the people who have come into her life to give her the opportunity to be apart of this remarkable project. Especially you Desean, thank you so very much.

Cristian Kreckler is a photographer, born in Argentina, currently living in Los Angeles. He hates writing about himself in third person, but will do it for the sake of this project. Cris’ love affair with photography began with the mix of two catalytic agents: feeling it's better to go through life searching for beauty around him, and the fact that he loves the sound of the shutter of a camera. He loves evocative, dramatic, unusual images. More is more as far as Cris is concerned. His superpower is his overwhelming curiosity, and Cris’ mother and father is his heroes. Other things he loves: videogames (Nintendo fan), meditation, brunch, politics, his pets, and his partner. Cris’ self conflicting social media presence: @neon_rockstar.

Calvin L. Blake III studied Tuba Performance at Sam Houston State University. He is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in brass and keyboards. Since arriving from his hometown of Houston, TX in 2011, Calvin has performed and directed musical productions throughout Los Angeles. He is honored to share his love for Gospel and Sacred music with this production of American Saga: A Theatrical Ballad.

Carly Anne Molstad has trained under Desean Terry at Berg Studios Acting School. Since recently moving to Los Angles, she has acted in several short films, and is now writing and directing her own pieces. American Saga: A Theatrical Ballad is her first theatrical collaboration. She is honored to be a part of this production. She gives her love and many thanks to Buddy Lewis Brown, for being her other half in video production.

We are a diverse group of artists telling stories that explore cultural identity, promote social change, and build empathy to the full spectrum of our individual realities. We belive that at it's core, art seeks to change. As John Butler says "art changes people, people change the world."

As a 501(c)(3) charity, we encourage you to join us by making a tax-deductible donation to "Collaborative Artists Bloc" for our production of American Saga - Gunshot Medley: Part 1. Join us on this important journey to enrich underserved communities in South Los Angeles. .

Also...

You can fundraise on our behalf with your own fundraising page under our campaign via clicking on the red link that reads "CREATE YOUR FUNDRAISER PAGE" at the bottom of this page.

You can help us bring art to the underserved communites in South Los Angeles. As an individual fundraiser you'll still have access to all of our amazing perks. For example: Anyone who raises $500 or more gets two opening night tickets to see American Saga - Gunshot Medley: Part 1, plus a special invite to our wine and cheese reception, and a signed poster of our artwork. Our top fundraiser will also receive a live shout out during a performance and a prominent thank you in our playbill.

Please join us!

Social Media Shout Out
$5 (Unlimited)

Just for donating to American Saga, you'll receive a shout out on our social media platforms!

Digital Download of our American Saga: A Theatrical Ballad Poster
$25 (Unlimited)

We'll email you a digital download of our American Saga - Gunshot Medley: Part 1 poster that you can share on social media platforms to help us spread the word!

+ Social Media Shout Out

1 Ticket to a Performance of "American Saga - Gunshot Medley: Part 1" at our Watts Performance Venue
$50 (50)

Get a ticket to a preview performance of American Saga: A Theatrical Ballad! (Preview dates are: Thursday, September 6 and Friday, September 7, 2018.)

+ Social Media Shout Out.

2 Tickets to a Performance of "American Saga - Gunshot Medley: Part 1" at our Watts Performance Venue
$100 (50)

Get two tickets to a preview performance of American Saga - Gunshot Medley: Part 1! (Preview dates are: Thursday, September 6 and Friday, September 7, 2018.)

+ Music from Sha'Leah Nikole, Social Media Shout Out and Digital Download of our American Saga Poster

2 Tickets to a Performance of "American Saga - Gunshot Medley: Part 1" at our Watts Performance Venue + Commemorative Art
$250 (20)

Get two tickets to see American Saga - Gunshot Medley: Part 1! (Any performance, except opening weekend - Dates include: Friday, September 14 - Saturday, October 6, 2018.) Plus a signed poster!

+ Music from Sha'Leah Nikole, Social Media Shout Out and Digital Download of our American Saga Poster

2 Tickets to Opening Night Performance of "American Saga - Gunshot Medley: Part 1" at our Watts Performance Venue + Commemorative Art
$500 (30)

Get two opening night tickets to see American Saga - Gunshot Medley: Part 1, plus a special invite to our wine and cheese reception, and a signed poster! (Opening night is Saturday, September 8, 2018.)

+ Music from Sha'Leah Nikole, Social Media Shout Out and Digital Download of our American Saga Poster

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS:

Bronze Sponsorship Package – $1,000 or more

Prominent recognition on social media, tickets to opening night (Friday, October 5, 2018), a signed poster, plus a thank you in our playbill!

Silver Sponsorship Package – $2,500 or more

Use 1/4 of our playbill however you would like! (You'll provide us the design/text.) Plus, prominent recognition on all social media platforms, tickets to opening night (Friday, October 5, 2018), a signed poster, and a thank you in our playbill!

Gold Sponsorship Package – $5,000 or more

We'll take you to lunch! And use 1/2 page of our playbill however you would like. (You'll provide us the design/text.) Plus prominent recognition on all social media platforms, tickets to Watts opening night (Friday, October 5, 2018), a signed poster, and a thank you in our playbill!

Angel Sponsorship Package – $10,000 or more

We invite you to be part of our theatrical process! In depth conversation with director and playwright about the process and arts activism. Tickets to our Watts opening night (Friday, October 5, 2018), a signed poster, plus a full page our playbill! (You'll provide us the design/text.) You'll also get prominent recognition on all social media platforms, and we'll take you to lunch!

Honorary Producer Sponsorship Package – $20,000 or more

All of the above PLUS Top Billing as an Honorary Producer and a LIVE SHOUT OUT to you during a performance. At this level, we would love to talk to you more to figure out how we can additionally help promote your business.

The Rehearsal Process
$8,000

The rehearsal process includes all expenses associated with preparing for production. Some of the costs these funds will cover include acquiring the rights to the play, printing scripts, renting rehearsal facilities, and paying our cast and creative team stipends for their time and commitment to the production. It also includes operational costs, such as insurance and payroll.

Spreading the Word
$6,000

Spreading the Word includes all expenses associated with publicity and marketing for our theatrical event. Some of the costs these funds will cover include a publicist with access to local press outlets, digital advertisements and social media placement, posters, postcards, and other collateral for our street team.

Creating the World
$10,000

Creating the World includes all expenses associated with design and execution of the play. Some of the costs these funds will cover are build materials, set furnishings, props, costumes, lighting design, sound elements, and designer stipends.

Show Time
$14,000

Show Time includes all expenses associated with the run of the show. Some costs these funds will cover are venue rentals, talent and musician stipends, stage management, concessions, and programs.

GRAND TOTAL: $38,000

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