Displaying items by tag: kennedyking college

Encounter, running tonight through January 25, is the product of Collaboraction Theater’s role as Theater in Residence at Kennedy-King College. It takes place in the lovely and modern wood-paneled theater space at Kennedy-King’s campus at 63rd and Halsted Street.

It is sometimes said that theater is a community having a conversation with itself, and for many of us folks outside the Southside Englewood community, Encounter: Being, Becoming provides a golden moment to hear and to see that conversation.

The cast features both high profile stars and rising actors from across Chicago stages, films and television. First up opening night was Leida “Lady Sol” Garcia, who is the choreographer that brought Chicago’s hip-hop dance steps and performers to global stars like Madonna and Missy Elliot.

Her compelling and lively autobiographic performance, Lady Sol’s Dance Diary, Vol. 1., is directed by Sandra written and performed by Leida "Lady Sol" Garcia and directed by Sandra Delgado. Tracing her time from protege of Lauryn Hill whom she met while promoting the Fugees for Columbia Records. series of vignettes from Garcia’s life, with supporting dancers Cari Bermudez and Sydney Jackson, traces her brushes with fame, and her encounter with mental illness.

Another big name is Sir Taylor, who shares his life story in Inspire: Breath Life, starting from growing up in Cabrini-Green and the struggles he faced and overcame. Taylor became a founding member of the Jesse White Tumblers, which led him to compete as an Olympic gymnast for the U.S., and brought him around the world. A stop in Africa put Sir Taylor in touch with his roots and set him on path to community activist, mentor and leader of The Example Setters. The drumming scenes set in Africa were particularly dynamic, and Sir Taylor is a powerful presence on stage.

The Becoming program includes four original works by Chicago dramatists, which are captivating stories you will want to hear (I’m heading back to see them too):

Englewood: A Love Story, directed by Reginald Edmund, is a love letter to the past, present and future of Englewood, a blend of history and true stories from actual residents in the community.

Lift Every Voice: Written by G. Riley Mills and Willie Round, and directed by Rory Jobst. When a racist Snapchat makes its way around a high school its students are left to grapple with their own history, biases and privilege in order to maintain their relationships.

F.O.P., Written by Miranda Gonzalez and directed by Juan Castenada, after the birth of their child, two Chicago police officers and partners, Josh and Lala, are the victims of racial harassment at the hands of their fellow officers.

SANKOFA, written by Antwon Funches, directed by Tatyana Chante, it is set in the 19th century American South, and follows the climactic escape of an enslaved mother and daughter.

Encounter is curated through a combination of open and invited submissions from emerging and established artists throughout the city. Every performance is followed by a Crucial Conversation where the audience is welcomed to share their thoughts and lived experiences as they connect with the work. While the goal series serves to engage the Chicago community in discussion on issues of equity and inclusion, incite knowledge and grow empathy that leads to action and lasting change – the experience is far more fun, and a wonderful display of performance passion at a place many Chicagoans might overlook. Learn more and buy tickets at Collaboration/Encounter.com https://www.collaboraction.org/encounter