MANAGEMENT

Life is filled with unforeseen challenges. Lies stack on top of misperception, misdirection and humiliation. Plans change. People's lives are affected. Time and wisdom prove: It's not the hand you're dealt, but how you manage it. 2013 Emerging Artist Fellow Andre N. Jones presents a reading of his newest play "Management".
Starring Miranda Thompson, Sahr Abu and Brittany Holdahl. Directed by Kim E. Brown

May 17th 2013
7pm
Brandywine Hundred Library
1300 Foulk Road
Wilmington, DE 19803

Cost: Free

Refreshments will be served

Promises, Promises

As this year is being referred to as the "Year of the Promise", I reflect upon the word Promise. The dictionary defines promise as being 1) A declaration assuring that one will or will not do something; a vow 2)Indication of something favorable to come; expectation 3)Indication of future excellence or success.

While these are only a few definitions they are very inspiring as I go through each day. Promise also assumes dream and vision.  How can I have an expectation of excellence or success if there isn't a dream and vision to aspire to?

Well this has certainly been a great year for Rise and Walk.  So much so that the path of success is brightly lit.  Our promise is right before us and we are putting in the work to reach it.

Our founder Andre N. Jones was granted the 2013 Emerging Artist Fellowship in Playwriting from the Delaware Division of the Arts.  This fellowship has allowed to bring forth not only Andre's wonderful works but also to showcase some wonderful actors.  

"Exhibited", which starred Damien Wallace, Miranda Thompson and Sahr Abu, was presented as a reading at the Brandywine Free Library on April 12.  "Exhibited" told the story of a young autistic woman name Clara Black.  We watched her through love, loss and triumph.  It was a successful reading and we hope to do it again in the future.

Upcoming works are:

May 17, 2013

Management- A Reading

Starring: Miranda Thompson, Sahr Abu and Brittany Holdahl

Brandywine Hundred Library

1300 Foulk Road

Wilmington, DE

7:00pm

Free 

June 29, 2013

Verbalized Ink

Starring: Andre N. Jones, Roderick Slocum, Kim E. Brown, Tiffany Barrett and Steve Crum

Music School of Delaware

4101 Washington St.

Wilmington, DE 

8:00pm

$20

For tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/360076

We are also happy to report that Rise and Walk is heavily represented in South Camden Theatre Company's production of August Wilson's Radio Golf.

Radio Golf stars Andre N. Jones, Kim E. Brown, Roderick Slocum, Tiffany Barett and Damien Wallace.  Kudos to the Cast and Crew.  The reviews have begun to come in:

http://www.stagemagazine.org/2013/04/sctcs-radio-golf-message-is-loud-and-clear/

Truly this is a great year full of promise! 

Keep dreaming. Keep working. Never give up.

And The Winner Is....

Rise and Walk founder and artistic Director, Andre N. Jones has been named as the 2013 Delaware Division of the Arts Emerging Artist Fellow in the discipline of playwriting. 
 http://www.artsdel.org/information/iafrecipients/default.shtml
Jones has premiered several original works with the Rise and Walk Theatre Company.  They include, Verbalized Ink (2011 DC Black Theatre Festival Audience Choice Award Nominee), A Psalm of David, M,  and Dusting. His most recent work, Exhibited, was featured as a part of The Painted Bride Reading Series in Philadelphia just last month.  
The Division of the Arts Fellowship allows Andre to feature his works in the state of Delaware during the 2013-2014 season.  The first work that will be produced this season is Exhibited.  It will be featured as a reading at the Brandywine Hundred Library in Wilmington, Delaware on April 12th 2013 at 7pm.  The library is located at 1300 Foulk Rd.  Exhibited paints in vibrant colors; loss, despair, triumph and love.  The boldest stroke painted through out the work is that "The heart is all that matters."   Exhibited is directed by actor/director Roderick Slocum and features the acting talents of Miranda Thompson, Steve Crum and  Sahr Abu.
All of us at Rise and Walk Theatre Company applaud Andre and we can't wait for you to see all that he has to offer this year.

Till We Meet Again...PEACE!

Brilliance Comes in Many Forms

On January 16, 2013 at 7:00 pm at The Painted Bride's Bridal Salon Reading Series.   Rise An Walk Theatre Company is at it again.  This time Andre N. Jones has written a "Heck of a smart read" as referred to by Director Mr. Roderick Slocum.  A woman, (Miranda Thompson) born with autism, fights to communicate her love for two men who shape her existence.  Despite many pitfalls, short comings  and misunderstandings, love finds a way to open the eyes hearts and souls of Avery (Sahr Abu) and Mr. Black (Steve Crum)

Walkin in Rhythm with Mercy Life

So, in the summer we had our hands full with the DC Black Theater Festival.  But, we had our sights on how to be more visible in the community.   Board member and actor Kim Brown (pictured at center) suggested that we take an approach that was off the beaten path.  He stated that the Mercy Life Centers would be a good place for Rise an walk to make an impact.  Well, December became the month where his idea would become reality.  Rise an Walk performed at the Mercy Life Center on Broad and Tasker Sts.  (Across the street from South Philadelphia High School.) on Friday December 14, 2012.  We performed an original one-act play A Psalm of David for the seniors, who enjoyed the piece, as well as entertained us with their comments and questions afterward.  The experience was of great relevance and filled with hilarious moments.  Particularly when, one of the women stated that we should have had the lead character cheat on his wife because her father cheated on her mother and he didn't give her away at her wedding so the character shouldn't get off without being a cheat.  Another moment that was extremely funny was when a gentleman said he and his wife have been married for thirty years and he knew that his wife hand't told him everything.  Only to later state that she already knew he was no good but he was adventurous and that's what kept her with him.  Both the senior citizens and the caregivers enjoyed the subject matter of the play as well as the poignant and well executed acting performances by Mr. Kim Brown and Ms. Keedra Carroll.  Excellent acting, excited and challenging audience and great dialogue gives rhythm to a wonderful time had by all.  We look forward to continuing our relationship with Mercy Life and expanding our reach with all walks of life.  Stay tuned for what's up next.
-A

Searchin...

So the 2012 DC Black Theatre Festival has come and gone.  It was a great time had by cast and crew.  However just like life a very nasty storm came upon the horizon and threw things into chaos.  Many people in the DMV area lost power, which some are still struggling to get back, during the hottest heatwave on record.  It was hard to find the very necessities of living.  There were few gas stations and grocery stores operating.  With power gone, many residents and vacationers alike were on a mission to find the very things needed for survival; Gas, food, water and a cool place to stay.  So in such a state of chaos who would really care about spending an evening at the theater especially now since unplanned expenses were now apparent.  Well I must say we didn't have the biggest crowds, which was understandable, but as God always does he provides a silver lining amongst the dark clouds.  We made connections, networked and got some really good feedback from the audience members.  So when the next production of "Dusting" occurs, it will be even better.
Now what for Rise and Walk? We keep fighting, working and searching. We'll continue writing our visions and, with God's help, bring them to pass.  As storms arise we will continue to work and have faith that God will bring us out on the other side better and stronger than before.  Someday soon our works will be published. Someday soon our works will win Pulitzers. Someday soon our works will make Broadway. Someday soon our actors will win Tonys, Emmys and Academy Awards.

“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry."

Habakkuk 2:2-3

New Promo!

Check out the newest promo trailer for the play "Dusting"!