More Information About Creative Provocateurs, Vol. 1

Website

http://www.highwaysperformance.org/

Description

Highways Performance Space, in celebration of its 20th Anniversary, presents the benefit Creative Provocateurs, Vol. 1, an evening of new, original works by award-winning writers Antwone Fisher, Tina Andrews, and J.M. Morris.

Friday, August 21st performance includes: Charlotte Sophia and Uh-Uh!: Part 1. Saturday, August 22nd performance features: Finding Fish and Uh-Uh!: Part 2.

Antwone Fisher’s Finding Fish is based on the same-titled, New York Times best-selling book Fisher wrote about growing up in foster care. Fisher’s life was initially explored in Antwone Fisher, the film starring Denzel Washington that also garnered Fisher several writing awards (including the prestigious Humanitas Award). In this one act two-hander, Fisher explores the story from a new perspective, one more real and raw than the film version.

Tina Andrews’ one act Charlotte Sophia is a cutting-edge take on race, exploring the African descent of England’s Queen Charlotte. The recipient of several awards for her work (including the WGA Award from her peers), Andrews continues her penchant for provocative projects with a contemporary staging, along the lines of the Tony-nominated Mary Stuart and Julie Taymor’s Titus.

Uh-Uh!: Parts 1 & 2 features J.M. Morris’ signature satiric to dramatic writing with provocative characters of diverse backgrounds, but linked by the universal phrase, “uh-uh,” and all its cultural variances. Her pieces range from a dramatic piece about an Iranian who decides to join the current political protests in a very unique manner to a satiric “expose” about who really was behind Robert Downey, Jr.’s portrayal of a black man in Tropic Thunder. As with Morris’ previous works at Highways, Uh-Uh! will be directed by famed independent filmmaker, Charles Burnett (To Sleep With Anger, the recent Namibia: Struggle for Freedom with Danny Glover).

About the Ticket Supplier: Highways Performance Space

Highways Performance Space is Southern California's boldest center for new performance. Founded in 1989, Highways continues to be an important alternative cultural center in Los Angeles that encourages fierce new artists from diverse communities to develop and present innovative works.

Highways promotes the development of contemporary socially involved artists and art forms. Our mission is implemented through four programs (the performance space, workshop/university program and two galleries). Annually, Highways co-presents approximately 250 performances by solo dramatic artists, small theater groups, dance companies and spoken word artists; curates and exhibits approximately 12 contemporary visual art exhibits per year with work that explores the boundaries between performing and visual art forms; commissions and premieres new work by outstanding performing artists; organize special events, curate festival, offer residency and educational programs that engage community members in the arts while providing access to professionally-directed instruction.