An artistic show where the worlds of ‘old’ and ‘young’ collide

by Michael Anthony

I’m sitting at the French Market, waiting to partake in a brunch with a cast of characters (both on and off stage) from the upcoming theatrical event: Rise Up and Shout! I’m prepping myself for yet another one of those “Come see my show! There’ll be dance numbers, drag queens and even [insert C-List gay celeb here] hosting!” kind of deals; but within seconds of meeting Lawrencia Dandridge, I know this is going to be an atypical lunch-time interview.

Lawrencia introduces herself to me as a lyricist/singer—but fastidiously I learn that she’s really a (self-described) “fat, black, female, bisexual artist…strong in her plight [and] a child of God.” It suddenly hits me; this is going to be an interview with tried and true artists (in the most profound sense of the word), not “Look at me! Look at me!” L.A. models-turned-actors-by-default.

When the rest of our party shows, we take to our table and introductions commence. There’s Steven Louis, a “hairstylist and artist at large,” who volunteers as a coordinator and mentor for the program; also joining us is Jim Pentecost, the show’s director and a veteran Broadway stage manager and producer. And finally, there’s Brian Gleason, a psychotherapist by trade and producer of the event. (He also produced the moving 2006 documentary Rise Up, based on the program’s debut outing.)

I get right down to business after ordering my omelet with extra-extra bacon: “What is Rise Up and Shout?”

The group in its entirety begins to passionately respond; it’s obvious this program is their zeitgeist zeal. In short, Rise Up and Shout! is more than a stage show; well, in a sense it is just that. On the surface, it’s a variety hour that features the multi-faceted talents of LGBTQ “youths” (ranging in age from late teens to about 28). However, the program, while about creating a great product, focuses heavily on the journey towards that final showing. Launched in 2006 by Don Kihefner (co-founder of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center) and Mark Thompson (former editor of The Advocate), the pair collected a team of their associates—activists, artists and community leaders, in an effort to mentor the next generation of gay talents through art.

Today, TV veterans work with aspiring film makers. Published writers assist spoken word artists. Musicians teach beginners, and choreographers help younger dancers. “It’s a way of connecting an older gay generation with a younger group of artists. It bridges that generation gap,” explains Brian Gleason.

And diverse is this year’s roster. Meet Shane Salter (aka: ForWard), a gifted gay rapper from Sacramento. Says Salter about the show, “Rise Up is what happens when we act as a community ... [and] push ourselves past the ‘second-class citizen’ mark in society.”

Continues Alex Davis, a transman guitarist singer/songwriter, “Shout is a generous gift that our spirited elders are giving to our community ... and [also] to anyone who will benefit from seeing young LGBTQ people be explosive on stage.”

This year’s MC, comedian Thai Rivera, sums up the importance of Rise Up, “[It] seems that in our society, after a certain age, people almost become invisible. But these [are] the same people that made it possible for us to live as openly and freely as we do today. It [brings] younger members of the community [to] our elders.”

Passionate are the budding performers, but equally as moved are the show’s mentors (spanning 30-85 years old). While reading a personal letter to me about the importance of art in our community, Steven Louis is near moved to impassioned tears; and director Pentecost sums it up with a simple yet powerful statement: “Art allows me to connect with other[s] … and experience their worlds.”

Rise Up and Shout!, I learned over the course of a mere meal, is more than a show; it’s an artistic expression where worlds literally do collide—the “old” mentoring the “young,” the youth inspiring the veterans of our LGBTQ community. I, for one, will be there with bells on (probably metaphorically but perhaps even literally) to ring in this groundbreaking and very much-needed theatrical event!