Controversial Bay Windows, BW, editorial on race referred to in the press release below. As a result, the Theater Offensive True Colors’ youth has been inspired to create “Voices from the Ground, Stories from the Roots” performance to present an honest portrayal of LGBTQQA lives through group playwriting, production, performance and theater training and to help foster dialogue and acceptance in Boston’s communities of color. CLICK on the image to read the BW editorial.
Written and Performed by the True Colors Troupe, Examines the Cultural, Ethnic & Gender Roots of Boston’s LGBT Youth
BOSTON, Mass.—The Theater Offensive’s True Colors OUT Youth Theater troupe, which provides year-round theater programming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth and their straight allies (LGBTQQA), will be performing its 2014 show “Voices from the Ground, Stories from the Roots” at Villa Victoria Center for the Arts on May 27 and 28. The show, which responds to a controversial Bay Windows editorial encouraging black men to better assimilate into society as gay men allegedly had, is written, produced and performed by Boston area youth ages 14 to 22.
True Colors has been performing “Voices from the Ground, Stories from the Roots” at closed school-based performances throughout the month of May as part of its mission to present an honest portrayal of LGBTQQA lives through group playwriting, production, performance and theater training and to help foster dialogue and acceptance in Boston’s communities of color. The Villa Victoria shows will provide the public with an opportunity to view the troupe’s work. [pullquote]“After the Bay Windows editorial sparked such strong local reaction among Boston’s LGBT and black communities, we wanted to take on the topic by exploring the roots of sexuality, culture, religion, gender and more. The result is a moving, personal and revealing show that couples historical information and current events with the personal, honest experiences of True Colors members. —Nick Bazo, director of True Colors[/pullquote]
“Each year, our troupe writes, produces and performs a show on a topic relevant to them,” said Nick Bazo, director of True Colors. “After the Bay Windows editorial sparked such strong local reaction among Boston’s LGBT and black communities, we wanted to take on the topic by exploring the roots of sexuality, culture, religion, gender and more. The result is a moving, personal and revealing show that couples historical information and current events with the personal, honest experiences of True Colors members. It truly demonstrates the complex dynamics of one’s roots and history and their affect on the person they become.”
Entrance to the performances is free but an RSVP is required to reserve a seat.
What: Community Performance of “Voices from the Ground, Stories from the Roots” by the True Colors Spring Troupe
When: May 27 and 28, 7 pm
Where: Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, 85 W. Newton St., Boston (South End)
RSVP: This show is free, but please RSVP with your preferred date and time to magda@thetheateroffensive.org.
The Theater Offensive: OUT in Your Neighborhood works in Boston neighborhoods to create original, groundbreaking works by, for and about the LGBT community. Their year-round community-based workshops, intensive engagement with at-risk youth to end bullying, and free street theater performances are focused in Roxbury, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain and the South End. OUT in Your Neighborhood expresses the diversity of the city of Boston, gives voice to underserved LGBT community members, creates avenues for cross-cultural dialogue and breaks down the barriers of homophobia, bigotry and hate.
The Theater Offensive started 1989, is led by founding Artistic Director Abe Rybeck. Throughout its history The Theater Offensive has furthered its mission “to present the diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lives in art so bold it breaks through personal isolation, challenges the status quo, and builds thriving communities.” The Theater Offensive is a Resident Theatre Company at Boston Center for the Arts.
[From a News Release]
