Robey's Ben Guillory Set To Lead Artist In The Community Series Of 'Add Your Story' Workshops

An artist-in-the-community series of workshops led by Ben Guillory and four of the Robey Theatre Company playwrights has been launched to provide story-telling tools and writing tips for LA’s South Central residents. According to Guillory, the idea is to recognize the community as “History Detectives,” digging for those stories you’ll never find in a history book, yet will never forget.

“We’re looking for everyday residents,” Guillory continues, “even those who no longer live in the community, but who have been “witnesses” to history—our cultural history.”  Those stories define who we are—explaining where we were, once and informing where we find ourselves now, in and out of “the Community.”  The key to our success will be participation.

To explain the idea and get a sense of the community’s interest, an orientation has been scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016 (12 noon- 3 p.m.) The event will meet at one of LA’s premier African American Museum’s—The Museum of African American Art (MAAA). The Museum is located on the 3rd floor in the Macy’s Department Store at the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw Mall located at 4005 Crenshaw Boulevard Los Angeles 90008 @ King Drive.

The kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 20. Light refreshments will be offered. Workshop dates and assignments will be discussed at the Orientation. Workshops and Orientation is FREE for 2nd District residents compliments of LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas’s office.

The Museum of African American Art (MAAA) was founded in 1976 by noted artist and art historian Dr. Samella Lewis and a group of academic, artistic, business, and community leaders whose goal was to increase public awareness of African American art. Those who attend the Orientation will be able to view the Museum’s Palmer C. Hayden exhibition and the Where Black is Brown: The African Diaspora in Mexico exhibit, curated by Dr. Toni Humber.   The Palmer C. Hayden Collection is a central part of the permanent collection at MAAA, giving the public insight into the life and work of one of the leading artists of the Harlem Renaissance. 

The Robey Theatre Company trains writers and actors to tell stories for the stage about the global Black Experience. Founded in 1994 by Danny Glover and Ben Guillory, the Company’s ensemble writers and actors are dedicated to inspiring and contributing to raising the social consciousness of audiences through the experience of live performance, including readings and workshops. Robey offers an encouraging environment of understanding and support where multi-cultural theatre advances and stimulates discussions about universal themes that reflect life as seen through the eyes of Black characters on stage struggling to survive, advance and simply maintain.

To sign-up for this or any other Robey activity: gotorobey@gmail.com