Agents & Assets

Co-produced with Art Sanctuary
and in partnership with Project H.O.M.E.
at The Church of the Advocate, Philadelphia
November 3, 4, 5, 2006

at the Theatre Project, Baltimore
Nov 9, 10, 11, 12, 2006

About the Project

AA_inPhillyOctober- November, 2006: LAPD’s national residency program on drug policy and drug policy reform took place in Philadelphia and Baltimore. Six LAPD’ers worked with 8 participants from Project HOME men’s and women’s recovery programs in North Philadelphia, hosted by Art Sanctuary. The group traveled the performance to The Baltimore Theater Project.

Partners: People’s Emergency Center (P.E.C.) and Project H.O.M.E.

Read the Philadelphia Daily News Story

Andre Hart, case manager and himself a graduate of the mens’s recovery program said that one of the biggest obstacles to recovery is the being able to forgive yourself for all the harm you’ve done to yourself and your community as a drug user and/or dealer. He went on to say that working on Agents & Assets made clear to all that some of the irresponsibility belonged to the social policy makers. And so the project made it easier, for participants to forgive themselves and to begin to reverse the cycle of hurt.

Lorene Cary, author and founder of Art Sanctuary wrote to LAPD: We are teasing out some of the meaning of the art process you accomplished with the actors from Project H.O.M.E., and with the audiences. We witnessed, from a distance, the exquisite care and attention you gave to the actors and to the many meanings of the play. That, after all, has been a deep teaching to our entire community, and a confirmation of what we know about art in community, but rarely see in action so total and committed and complete. With thanks and praise, Lorene.


Art Sanctuary Mission Statement

Art Sanctuary, located in North Philadelphia, uses the power of black art to transform individuals, unite groups of people, and enrich and draw inspiration from the inner city. We invite established and aspiring artists to help create excellent lectures, performances and educational programs.

Panel discussions Philadelphia:
November 3:
Derrick “Rick” Ford, Founder & Director of Brothers Reaching Back and Agents & Assets cast members.
November 4: Rev. Isaac Miller, Rector Church of the Advocate and John Malpede, Founder of LAPD.
November 5: Rodney Little, President Fraternal Order of Housing Police and John Malpede, Fouder of LAPD.
Panel discussions Baltimore:
November 9: Mary Slicher of Project Plase, Addam Schneider of Healthcare for the homeless and John Malpede talk about homelessness, health and social policy.
November 10: Robert Parry Journalist who broke the Iran / Contra story will talk about this history and it’s implications today.
November 11: Julianne Franz and Ron Cauthen with the Encounter Group and their students: Keyona Mays and Brittani Harris and Brian Francoise a Boal practitioner talk about how theater can be used to encourage social change.
November 12: Juanita Rockwell of Towson University, Andre Hart of project H.O.M.E.  and John Malpede talk about spirituality and building community.

Cast

A&A_Philly
Congressional aide: Hosea Boyd, Congressional aide in Baltimore: Andre HartMs. Maxine Waters: Karen Vicks, Ms. Millender McDonald: April Parker, Mr. Skaggs: Tyrone Mason, Mr. Skaggs and Mr. Gibbons in Baltimore: Ken Gruz, Mr. Dixon: Tony Parker, Mr. Gibbons: Reginald Cintron, Ms. Harmon: Kim Williams, Chair Goss: Melina Bielefelt, Mr. Skelton: Ismael Rodriques, Mr. Dicks: Alexander the Poet, Ms. Pelosi: Henriëtte Brouwers, Mr. Bishop: Wendel Young, Mr. Lewis: Raymond Wilkerson, Mr. Hitz: Rickey Mantley.

Agents & Assets: Witnessing the War on Drugs and on Communities
A publication focused on a decade of Agents & Assets performances and conversation.  The book can be purchased for $12.95.

buy the book