| Behind the Scenes of Rising Voices |
Rising Voices latest production:A Way Out
Three short plays that offer a glimpse into the lives of women struggling to break away from cycles of abuse, incarceration and codependence, written by the women of Rising Voices. Community Works’ (CW) Rising Voices, a theatre ensemble of formerly incarcerated young women, presents its first short play festival A Way Out on May 20 and May 21, 2011, hosted by The University of San Francisco's Performing Arts and Social Justice Major. About the three plays: Torn written by Adriana Escobar A young women is torn between staying on the right track or going back to her old ways of getting money, when a job loss leaves her unable to make ends meet. "My play was inspired by my actual struggles. The story of Angel came to me in class one day when I was actually trying to figure out how I was going to pay my own rent." Watch a video to learn more about Adriana's main character in her play. We All We Got written by Nakisha McDowell Four sisters are put to the test when one of them decides to move away.
Watch a video to hear more about what inpsired Nakisha's play.
A friendship is forged between two strangers at a train station, when a young girl runs away from her abusive father. Watch a video to hear more about the message of Casey's play.
Hear from Michelle Torres Maxson, Program Director of Rising Voices, about the program and what inspired this production: Part 1 Part 2 Meet the women of Rising Voices all photography by Van Nguyen-Stone, Jomi Jomi (except where noted)
Nakisha McDowell "My family inspired me to write my play because in the process in completing my play I was feeling like giving up on what I wanted to do with my life. It seemed like I had to put my family first before my future or dreams. I am the oldest out of 7 children and my sisters look up to me and my mom worked real hard to provide for us that she sometimes never was able to be a mom at home so I was doing all the duties that a mother had to do... I am learning how to express myself to my family because in the end we all we got"
Casey Guillebeau
Adriana Escobar "In writing my play, I put myself in my main character’s shoes. This wasn’t hard considering I’ve gone through what she’s going through. I came to realize that it’s very easy to end up back in jail and lose everything I’ve worked for just my making the wrong choice in a risky situation, I can be right back in orange. Also without support from family and friends, it’s even easier to fall back into your old ways."
Theresa Hamilton "Rising Voices has helped me grow into a strong woman who believes in self first who steps up to the plate. Performing in front of people is a powerful talent to have and such an opportunity to be given"
Johnisha Beasley "Rising Voices has helped changed my outlook on lifestyles. I’ve always thought you don’t have to be like where you came from. You can have some similarities but still be different. But after hearing other peoples plays and having different discussions about numerous things, it made me feel like you don’t have to have no part of your hood in your mentality. It can make you want to be completely different. Not just to show the people you were surrounded by, but also yourself that you can be much better than what you were shown."
Shanté Bishop "Rising Voices has had a very positive affect on my everyday life. Rising Voices is a place you come to and you know you’re safe. It has also taught me how to ask for help because I seem to think I can do everything on my own. Before Rising Voices, I would never sit around a group of females because I don’t trust anyone but now I learned it’s okay to open up and express how you are feeling and you don’t have to hold everything in. Rising Voices is helping me change for the better because everybody has the potential for greatness."
(photo by Ruth Morgan) |
