Freedom School Presents THE WORLD IS MY HOME, 5/24
Paul Robeson Freedom School is proud to present The World Is My Home: The Life & Times of Paul Robeson by Stogie Amir Kenyatta onMay 24th at 8PM at St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church (157 Montague St, Brooklyn, NY 11201).
The World Is My Home: The Life & Times of Paul Robeson written and performed by Stogie Amir Kenyatta is an acclaimed Broadwaystyle solo show that has been performed to sold out audiences across the US and around the world. Using theatre as a vehicle for social change, the show portrays the triumph and tragedy of the mistreated American genius Paul Robeson, a renowned Afro-American actor, activist, lawyer, and athlete born at the turn of the 20th century. From the horrors of the slave trade to the shame of the holocaust, from the artistic wonders of the Harlem Renaissance and the Jazz-Bebop era to McCarthyism, blacklists, racism and oppression, Robeson shows us that in spite of our differences, we have more in common than in conflict. Following his legacy, The World Is My Home: The Life & Times of Paul Robeson not only promotes diversity, brotherhood and education but also challenges us to examine the notion that "since the world is our home and we share a common humanity, it is imperative that men learn to live as brothers." Robeson paid the price for leading from the front, rather than pushing from behind. This descendant of rebellious slaves, who graduated valedictorian in 1919 from Rutgers University and received a law degree from Columbia, this all-American Football player who played in early NFL, was later blackballed, had his passport revoked and was silenced by HUAC (House Committee on Un-American Activities). Yet, he relentlessly stood up for the rights of his people, fought for equality and never stopped believing in a better future.
Kenyatta embodies ten different characters and portrays Robeson from early childhood through old-age, introducing his audience to this extraordinary human being. The show, which concludes with a lively Q&A, serves, like Robeson's life, as a cultural ambassador inspiring us to greater achievements and a nobler life. Powerful and poignant, entertaining and educational, heartfelt and humorous, the show celebrates our common humanity, as Robeson fights globally for social justice for Blacks, Jews, Welsh and Spanish workers. The goal of the play is to awaken a new generation, so that the lost brilliance of Robeson can be revived and with it the power to change the world.
The World Is My Home: The Life & Times of Paul Robeson has been performed at over 200 universities, ranging from Yale to the University of the West Indies. The show was commissioned by The Department of Education of the US Virgin Islands for six shows in St. Thomas and St. Croix, presented with the US Embassy and State Dept in Barbados and Nassau and had sold out appearances from Kona, Hawaii to six Caribbean Islands. It was the first show to appear at The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis and at The Museum of NYC. Further, it was shown at theater festivals in Miami, Hollywood and Paradise Island, Bahamas.
Stogie Amir Kenyatta, Jamaican born and Brooklyn bred, is classically trained through the Afro American Studio in Harlem, Henry Street Settlement and Al Fann Theatrical Ensemble. A finalist in the N.Y. State Theatre competition with artistic director John Houseman, he also studied screenwriting and political science at the University of California and later on with Ivan Markota at the Van Mar Academy for Television and Film Acting. He has amassed over 30 television credits including sitcoms, films and soap operas guest starring on J.A.G., The Bold and the Beautiful, Batman and Robin, Half Past Dead, ER, Bernie Mac Show, FBI, to name a few. A character actor with leading man appeal, he has authentic Jamaican, British and African dialects, and has played many on screen. As a stand up comedian he co-headlined USO Comedy Tours in Tokyo, Japan and Okinawa. He has appeared in venues along the Gulf of Mexico, the South of France, London and in Comedy Clubs around the US. www.stogiekenyatta.com/
Paul Robeson Freedom School is following the legacy of their namesake by promoting civil rights and offering accessible creative education for everyone. The Freedom School's mission is to build an empowering community of youth and adult leader-educators whose work is to nurture and liberate our minds, bodies and collective spirit, to liberate our minds from mental oppression through culturally-relevant curriculum in the arts, sciences and histories, to liberate our bodies from hurtful consumerism through physical training and changing our relationship to food, and to liberate our collective spirit to reaffirm our commitment to each other, our shared heritage and our local community. paulrobesonfreedomschool.org
The World Is My Home: The Life & Times of Paul Robeson functions as a benefit for the Paul Robeson Freedom School's Summer Camp in 2013. All the proceeds will support the school's growth in its second year. The date is chosen in honor of Malcom X's birthday on May 19th.
The show takes place on May 24th at 8PM. St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church is located on 157 Montague St. Brooklyn, NY 11201. Tickets are $25-$75 and $15 for students, senior citizens and the unemployed and available at paulrobesonfreedomschool.org/benefit-show/, radio@paulrobesonfreedomschool.org or by calling 718-616-9587. Group rates are available for churches and civic groups.
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