A little bit about Rise Up and Shout!
Who We Are: An intergenerational organizing circle ranging in age from 30 to 85 plan and organize this event. Our oldest member, Malcolm Boyd, is an Episcopal priest who was active in the civil rights movement, is the author of over 30 books-- a 40th anniversary edition of his international bestseller Are You Running With Me, Jesus? has just been published. Mark Thompson is a former editor of the Advocate and author of five highly acclaimed books. Our youngest member is Joey Shanley, 30, who has worked wth community AIDS education and is currently enrolled in the UCLA masters program in social work. Ethan Shvarzman is a software project manager and an artist. Brian Gleason is a psychotherapist and filmmaker. Jim Pentacost is a Broadway director (more about him later). We all volunteer our time and creativity because we believe deeply that youth truly does represent our future and we need to support and encourage them in concrete and tangible ways.
Why We Are Doing This: It is very difficult being a young person in American today. Educational opportunities and meaningful employment are shrinking. If you are a gay or lesbian youth the situation is even often worse. Gay teens represent the highest suicide rate in the country. In the print media and on television gay youth are largely invisible. RISE UP AND SHOUT! was organized to identify talented gay youth, to bless and honor their gifts, and to give them visibility by spotlighting their genius at a showcase event at the Barnsdall Gallery Theater on October 24th and 25th, 2009.
Broadway Veteran To Direct The Show: Jim Pentacost will be shaping and directing the RISE UP AND SHOUT! show. Jim has had a distinguished career as a producer, director and stage manager for theatre, ranging from hit Broadway productions to national touring companies. His impressive list of credits include the smash Broadway productions, “Crimes of Heart,” “La Cage Aux Folles,” “Romance, Romance,” “Gypsy” with Tyne Daly, and the musical “Nick and Nora.” He made his motion picture debut as a producer with the blockbuster Disney animated feature “Pocahontas.” Most recently he was associate artistic director of the Manhattan Theatre Club and vice president for Clear Channel Theatrical.
Documentary film: A documentary film of the first Rise Up And Shout! event premiered to a packed audience at Outfest 2007, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival. View a trailer and highlights for the film and visit the film documentary website.
for more information please contact Brian Gleason (323)848-7372
“Given half a chance, the youth will take their steps and trust the river of life. The bigger question may be whether a village can be created that can truly accept and receive them. Those who wish to work as mentors and elders have to keep one eye on the youth—and another on conditions in the village.” Michael Meade, Elder and Storyteller
