ARU Presents MAKE THEM HEAR YOU

Artists Rise Up, a newly formed collective of artists working to produce charity events featuring talent from the vast Bay Area community of theater and performing arts, presents its inaugural offering: Make Them Hear You; A Concert Celebrating Human Rights and the American Dream, a benefit for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

ARU Founder, Alexis Lazear says, "At this point we're just a group of theater professionals trying to offer our talents to heal this community and hopefully, in some way, our country at large. We're all Americans and we're all going to need help at some point. We [ARU] decided we'd like to help instead of feeling helpless." Alexis works as a director, wig designer, and performer, and is based in Oakland, CA. ARU began as a Facebook group, and Alexis hoped to find a couple of people with whom to mount a small cabaret or open mic. Within 24 hours ARU was a group of over 300 artists, based all over the country, hoping to find a way to help their fellow citizen and bring people together in such a difficult and divided time. The group also hopes to call attention to the use of art and theater as a means with which to communicate complicated issues, raise awareness, and bring people closer. ARU Member and event committee member Annika Bergman says, "In a world where we're constantly bombarded with stories of pain and feelings of helplessness, I hope this community of artists can show each other and the Bay Area at large that art is healing; that small actions amount to great deeds; and that love is ultimately stronger than fear."

ARU will present an evening of music, theater, and dance celebrating the beautiful, diverse, and inclusive Bay Area theater community. Popular local talent will sing and dance musical theater favorites and tell personal stories about the impact of art and theater on their lives and their communities. Songs include many musical theater favorites from hits like Les Miserables, Ragtime, Spring Awakening, Hair, West Side Story, Hairspray and more. The evening will feature a silent auction and cocktail hour entertainment, patrons are encouraged to wear cocktail attire. The concert will also have an ASL interpreter.

Tickets for MAKE THEM HEAR YOU begin at $25. VIP Tickets are priced at $100. For more information, visit makethemhearyouaru.eventbrite.com.

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