ISC: Art Break

Independent Shakespeare Co.’s Community Action Update podcast returns for a special bonus episode ahead of the November 5th election. Ensemble member and Artistic Associate for Social Justice Carene Rose Mekertichyan interviews Arts for LA’s Director of Policy and Advocacy Ricky Abilez, who shares their work and stresses the importance of voting this — and every — election. She also shares reflections on the importance of voting from community members who attended at Arts for LA’s Voter Activation Day: Martha Demson, President (TPSCA) & Artistic Director (Open Fist Theatre Company); Letitia Fernandez Ivins, Senior Director: Civic Strategies & Partnerships (The Music Center); Leslie Hemstreet, Teacher (GALA Academy); Thien (Tintin) Nguyen, Ticket Operations Coordinator (Center Theatre Group); and Michaela Bulkley, Arts Administrator. Head to iscla.org/justice to find links and information about the individuals and organizations featured in this episode and to learn more about our social justice initiatives.

ISC’s Community Action Update podcast series is back for a new season on the Ides of March! In this episode we explore the importance of labor and union organizing in the arts with Megan / Reagan of Star Garden, a North Hollywood Topless Dive Bar and the only current unionized (AEA) strip club in the country. We also speak with ISC Board members Elizabeth Dennehy and Paul Major about the SAG-AFTRA strike and the importance of solidarity with the Hollywood Basic Crafts unions Teamsters Local 399 and IATSE. Head to iscla.org/justice to find links and information about the individuals and organizations featured in today’s episode and to learn more about our social justice initiatives. Reserve your tickets for Hamlet, Solus and FREE Iambic Lab offerings at iscla.org/iambic-lab-24.

ISC’s Community Action Update podcast series is back with an episode centered on critical arts funding legislation YOU have the power to support! The Advancing Equity Through the Arts and Humanities Act (H.R. 3239) would support public and nonprofit organizations that use the Arts to combat racism with funding and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In this episode you won’t want to miss an exclusive message from California’s 12th District Representative Barbara Lee who reintroduced this legislation last month! ISC has a special connection to H.R. 3239 as ensemble members Sabra Williams and Carene Rose Mekertichyan were part of the collective of local artists who drafted the legislation. In this episode, you’ll hear from two more members of the Arts Justice Coalition; Bay Area Grammy-nominated musician, educator, and member of Digital Underground Mystic and friend of ISC, actress, producer, and Founder/Executive Director of Support Black Theatre Sophina Brown. Their words will leave you inspired and moved to act. Access the H.R. 3239 toolkit at bit.ly/HR3239-Toolkit and head to iscla.org/justice to learn more about the artists, organizations, and action items mentioned in this episode.

ISC’s Community Action Update podcast series is back with an episode full of fierce women! ISC’s Artistic Associate for Social Justice Carene Rose Mekertichyan spoke with local representative and Pulitzer Prize Finalist Kristina Wong (just before she made her way to Sardi’s to collect her Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance!) about the relationship between theatre artists and mutual aid efforts. She also spoke with ISC Board member Ebony Murphy-Root about her work as an educator and with NARAL, an organization serving a critical purpose during this dangerous shift in our country’s stance on reproductive rights. This episode begins with ISC’s beloved Aisha Kabia performing Titania’s timeless speech describing the environmental destruction caused by her and Oberon’s feud in Act II Scene I of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For ways to support these incredible individuals, head to iscla.org/justice.

In this month's Community Action Update, ISC's Artistic Associate for Social Justice, Carene Mekertichyan, invites you to join ISC staff this Giving Tuesday in celebrating and supporting organizations that we feel are doing important work to uplift our communities and staying active in the fight for social justice and equity. Let us know who you are supporting this Giving Tuesday on our Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! Indian Country Today: support.indiancountrytoday.com Young Musicians Foundation: ymf.networkforgood.com Street Symphony: streetsymphony.kindful.com Hollaback!: ihollaback.org/about/donate artEquity: artequity.org/donate Kooyrigs’ Project Mayreeg: kooyrigs.org/project-mayreeg Transcript of this episode available at our website, www.iscla.org. Are their initiatives in our community you want featured on our Community Action Update in December? Email carene@iscla.org Follow us! Website: www.iscla.org Instagram & Twitter: @indyshakes Facebook: Independent Shakespeare Co.

In this month's Community Action Update, ISC's Artistic Associate for Social Justice, Carene Mekertichyan, invites you to protect Mauna Kea, The Creative Workforce Development Act, donate to the family and scholarship fund of Halyna Hutchins, stop Line 3, and other ways YOU can stay active in the fight for social justice and equity. Protect Mauna Kea: maunakea.konveio.com Stop Line 3: action.lakotalaw.org/action/stop-line-3 Protect Peehee mu’huh: protectthackerpass.org #HomesNotZones toolkit at: tinyurl.com/noon4118 LACCRC Information: laccrc2021.org/ Maroon Arts & Culture GoFundMe: gofund.me/47594afa LA ARTS: LATheatreStandards.com Halyna Hutchins Family GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/4ed44435 Halyna Hutchins AFI Scholarship: afi.com/halyna-hutchins-scholarship-fund Are their initiatives in our community you want featured on our Community Action Update in November? Email carene@iscla.org Transcript of this episode available at our website, www.iscla.org. Follow us! Website: www.iscla.org Instagram & Twitter: @indyshakes Facebook: Independent Shakespeare Co.

Join us for our special August Community Action Update! ISC's Artistic Associate for Social Justice, Carene Mekertichyan, highlights SELAH, a local organization serving the unhoused in Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, and Hollywood. This year during the Griffith park Free Shakespeare Festival, ISC is partnering with SELAH to collect hygiene kits for the unhoused during our entire run of The Tempest! Sign up to volunteer at selahnhc.org Follow them on instagram @selanhc You can donate to our Hygiene Kit Drive during performances of The Tempest. We are accepting the following: Shampoo (travel size) Conditioner (travel size) Lotion (travel size) Soap (travel size) Comb Pair of Socks Body Wipes Toilet Paper Toothbrush Toothpaste (travel size) First Aid Kit (Bandages, Antibiotic Ointment) See ISC’s Social Justice Initiatives: iscla.org/justice Are there initiatives in our community you want featured on our Community Action Update in September? Email carene@iscla.org Follow us! Website: www.iscla.org Instagram & Twitter: @indyshakes Facebook: Independent Shakespeare Co.

Happy Pride Month! In June's Community Action Update, ISC's Artistic Associate for Social Justice, Carene Mekertichyan, invites you to donate to your favorite LGBTQIA2S+ organizations including the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the Trans Defense Fund, take action to Save the San Marcos Foothills, urge your assembly member to support the VISION Act, and other ways YOU can stay active in the fight for social justice and equity. For nationwide community based alternatives to police: dontcallthepolice.com Donate to the the Trans Defense Fund: IG @transdefensefundla Donate to the LA LGBT Center: lalgbtcenter.org/ Support the George Floyd Justice Act: justiceforgeorge-takeaction.carrd.co Urge your state assembly member to support the VISION Act: bit.ly/VISIONAct Save and Restore the Salton Sea: https://www.change.org/p/save-and-restore-the-salton-sea?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_28127039_en-US%3A7&recruiter=13096716&recruited_by_id=13b72310-ce96-012f-0ca4-4040b09128dc&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial Save the San Marcos Foothills: @savethesanmarcosfoothills or savethesanmarcosfoothills.org COVID-19 Vaccine Information: publichealth.lacounty.govd other ways YOU can stay active in the fight for social justice and equity. Are their initiatives in our community you want featured on our Community Action Update in July? Email carene@iscla.org Follow us! Website: www.iscla.org Instagram & Twitter: @indyshakes Facebook: Independent Shakespeare Co.

For May's Community Action Update, ISC's Artistic Associate for Social Justice, Carene Mekertichyan, invites you to aid in the movement to #StopAAPPI Hate by taking Bystander Intervention Training with Hollaback!, donate to Save the San Marcos Foothills, learn more about nationwide community based alternatives to police, and other actions YOU can take this month to stay active in the fight for social justice and equity. For nationwide community based alternatives to police: dontcallthepolice.com For more information, please go to ihollaback.org/bystanderintervention To support the Aunties, go to auntiesewingsquad.com Yerazad: @yerazadcoalition Kooyrigs: https://kooyrigs.org/looys or @kooyrigs Miaseen: https://www.miaseen.org/ or @miaseenorg Arts for LA Arts Ed Action: artsforla.org/arts_ed_action Save the San Marcos Foothills: @savethesanmarcosfoothills or savethesanmarcosfoothills.org COVID-19 Vaccine Information: publichealth.lacounty.gov Are their initiatives in our community you want featured on our Community Action Update in June? Email carene@iscla.org Follow us! Website: www.iscla.org Instagram & Twitter: @indyshakes Facebook: Independent Shakespeare Co.

It's time to grab another book Off the Shelf with ISC! In today's episode of Off the Shelf, ISC Ensemble Member, William Elsman, reads to you the spine-chilling tale of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat." Known for his stories full of mystery and macabre, Edgar Allan Poe take audiences for a disturbing ride in "The Black Cat" as the unnamed narrator's strong affection for his pet black cat turns deadly. William Elsman- as a company member with ISC, William has performed several seasons with the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival.  Favorite roles include Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Simonides in Pericles, Saturninus in Titus Andronicus, Quince in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Angelo in Measure for Measure.  Regional credits include work with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (School Visit Program), Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Sierra Madre Playhouse, A Noise Within (understudy, Macbeth), Sacramento Theater Company, The Mountain Play, Capital Stage, Sierra Rep, SF Playhouse, Marin Shakespeare Company and the Pennsylvania and Texas Shakespeare Festivals. He has also taught acting at New York Film Academy, and as a private coach or guest instructor. BFA, Rutgers University, MFA, University of Delaware.  www.williamelsman.com When asked why he selected this short story to read, William Elsman responded, "During this pandemic, I've kept busy (and employed) performing audiobooks.  I began to reflect on how reading out loud was something that I'd always delighted in, even when I was very young.  I was introduced to Edgar Allan Poe in the 7th grade, and am grateful to my teacher, Mr. Ferraro, for tasking me with the assignment of memorizing and reciting the opening lines from "The Tell Tale Heart." It was great fun, and it paired well with my desire to perform.  We explored several of Poe's stories, and the words had an arresting quality that grabbed my attention with their macabre musicality.  I was also captivated by the peek they afforded into the minds of those eccentric and disturbed characters.  It felt dangerous to read, but also thrilling!" Enjoy this week's hair-raising Art Break. Follow us! Website: www.iscla.org Instagram & Twitter: @indyshakes Facebook: Independent Shakespeare Co.

This episode was recorded and edited before the horrific attacks against the Asian-American community in Atlanta. We stand in solidarity with the AAPI community and condemn the targeted violence that continues to escalate. We must dismantle systemic white supremacy in all of our communities. While we stay safer at home, Zoom readings and live streamed Shakespeare plays have served the need for some form (any form!) of theater. But there is nothing like folks gathering for the shared experience of Shakespeare performed live and in-person. This Art Break, we're taking a closer look at experiencing Shakespeare live in the theater vs watching filmed adaptations of Shakespeare. We have many special guests joining us for the episode, including Alex Lowe, a friend of ISC Managing Director, David Melville and a comic actor who played part in the Kenneth Branagh's Much Ado About Nothing (1993); Reynaldo Macias and Jean Gaskill, educators at St. Matthews Parish School and collaborators on countless ISC projects; and the 354 Squad, a react group on YouTube consisting of ISC Family, Bukola Ogunmola, Kendell Byrd, Cary Reynolds, and Tiana Quant. More from Alex Lowe: Upcoming Live Performances: https://www.clintonbaptiste.com/live/ Barry from Watford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2w8l_DJmXA More from 354 Squad: YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn0Mbi55jUCCAQG6PPsvsEw Twitter: https://twitter.com/the354squad?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the354squad/ Resources to Advocate Against Asian-American Hate Crimes: Stop AAPI Hate: https://stopaapihate.org/ Donate to Red Canary Song: https://www.redcanarysong.net/ Follow us! Website: www.iscla.org Instagram & Twitter: @indyshakes Facebook: Independent Shakespeare Co.

Grab your favorite book Off the Shelf and take an Art Break with us! We're kicking off the premiere of our newest segment, Off the Shelf, with ISC Co-Founder and Managing Director, David Melville reading a classic, light-hearted short story, "Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest" from My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse. One of many Wodehouse short stories, "Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest" features the young Bertie Wooster, his valet, Jeeves, and Motty, the son of an aristocratic friend, who Jeeves and Bertie must get out of trouble. David grew up in the UK where attended the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and began his career as an actor. In 1995 he met Melissa Chalsma when they were both cast in a Broadway production of HAMLET. They married 10 months later and co-founded Independent Shakespeare Co. shortly after that. David has directed and appeared in many ISC productions. Recent roles include Bottom, Titus Andronicus, Julius Caesar and Feste. David has composed music for many ISC shows and co-wrote the original musicals RED BARN and ANITA BERBER IS DEAD!  TV and Film includes LAWRENCE OF AMERICA, STARGATE ORIGINS, IRONCLAD, PERFECTION, THE UNDERSTUDY and ISC’s recent ROMEO & JULIET. When asked why he selected this short story to read, David responded, "P.G. Wodehouse is often referred to as the funniest writer in the English language. Dipping into his work always cheers me up and, as we all probably need a bit of cheering up right now, I thought it might be appropriate to read one of his short stories for this series. JEEVES AND THE UNBIDDEN GUEST is one of the earliest Jeeves and Wooster capers, first published in the Saturday Evening Post in December 1916 and later in the collection MY MAN JEEVES. Surprisingly, when we are introduced to Bertie, he is not in his native England but enjoying a lengthy stay in New York. I chose this particular story as it didn’t have any characters with tricky American accents. I hope you enjoy listening, it was certainly a joy to record." Enjoy David's lively voicing of P.G. Wodehouse's cheery, slapstick humor for this week's Art Break. Follow us! Website: www.iscla.org Instagram & Twitter: @indyshakes Facebook: Independent Shakespeare Co.