Jane M. Saks and Project& present "Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South"

LOS ANGELES - April 14, 2015 - PRLog -- “Johnson takes a risk and plunges head first into the difficult subject matter of gay Black men living in southern states. This one-man show answers the questions many are afraid to ask”. – The Washington Post

Hollywood, CA – Jane M. Saks and Project& bring E. Patrick Johnson’s hit one-man show “Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South,” to Los Angeles for a special engagement at TST @ Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood, April 29 – May 3, 2015. Against the backdrop of both progressive and regressive legislation, racially motivated violence and the resulting #blacklivesmatter movement, Sweet Tea delves into the perceptions, angst, triumphs and vulnerabilities of this minority within a minority.

“Sweet Tea” is not a show fixed in history,” says Saks, “it is a production of this moment, lending its voice to the necessary global conversations around race, sexuality and identity.”

This groundbreaking production is directed by Joseph Megel and co-produced by Towne Street Theatre, LA’s premiere African American Theatre Company and Project&, an arts entity focused on cultural production with social impact - in association with Stella Adler Theatre.

Based on his award-winning book, E. Patrick Johnson, PhD stars in this one-man exploration into the Southern, black, gay community. With oral histories shared, often for the first time, on porches, in living rooms, and under the generous shade of oak trees, Johnson tells the story of a community that has long existed in the South, but has yet to be explored within its own narratives.  He reinforces the spoken-word tradition, while challenging stereotypes, and finding humor, humanity and hope within.

“Sweet Tea’s” many and varied narratives represent men of all ages and experiences, and are seamlessly connected by autobiographical moments from Johnson’s own life. His scholarly research brought him to gather oral histories from men who ranged in age from age 27 to 92 years old. The resulting show is an examination of identity, community, power and partnership that challenges accepted stereotypes of the South, offering an authentic view of the range of black and gay experiences.

Post-show events will follow several performances, and will include discussions with E. Patrick Johnson and a special guest.

Dr. E. Patrick Johnson is the Carlos Montezuma Professor of Performance Studies and African American Studies at Northwestern University. A scholar, artist, and activist, Johnson has performed nationally and internationally and has published widely in the area of race, gender, sexuality and performance. He has written two award-winning books, Appropriating Blackness: Performance and the Politics of Authenticity (Duke UP, 2003), and Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South - An Oral History. Johnson is the recipient of a 2014 Otto Award for his contributions to political theatre. He was also awarded the Leslie Irene Coger Award for Outstanding Contributions to Performance by the National Communication Association, the Randy Majors Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to LGBT Scholarship in Communication and was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame—all in 2010.  He received his PhD from Louisiana State University in 1996, and was also the first African American born and raised in Hickory, NC to receive a PhD.

About Project&

Founded in January 2014 by well-known arts activist Jane M. Saks, Project& is an arts entity focused on cultural production with social impact. Project& believes that art and culture have the unique ability to address critical issues facing the global community and influences how we understand, respond, challenge and engage. Leveraging innovative participatory models, Project& collaborates with artists, original voices and partners across multiple fields of expertise to create, support and amplify work that inspires and drives social impact. Working across mediums and platforms, Project& strives to be a vital source for social change and engagement in the world.  Current Project& initiatives include:“Working in America,” with award winning photographer, Lynsey Addario, “This is Reading,” with Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage, “Lost Languages: Visibility/Invisibility” with MacArthur Fellow Claire Chase and “Truth Booth,” with visual artist Hank Willis Thomas. Project& will continue to work with Johnson on the theatrical production of his forthcoming book Honeypot: Black Southern Women Who Love Women, which will explore the intricate stories of black southern women who identify as “lesbian,” “queer,” or “same-gender-loving.” http://www.projectand.org/

Jane M. Saks is the Founding President and Artistic Director of Project&. Sweet Tea, the play, was originally developed and produced by Saks from its book form into the full-length production. She is a cultural alchemist, arts advocate, creative collaborator and producer, as well as a writer and educator. Her work challenges and champions issues of gender, sexuality, human rights, race and power within the worlds of arts and culture, politics and civil rights, academia and philanthropy. She is the producer, co-producer, creative advisor and series producer on many original and compelling creative works in various media and art forms.

About Towne Street Theatre

Towne Street Theatre, L.A.’s Premiere African American Theatre Company, was founded in 1993 in the aftermath of the LA 1992 riots. Its mission is to create positive social impact by producing and developing original works reflective of the African American experience. Towne Street continues to be an oasis for creativity and imagination; a theatre that helps to bridge the cultural divide by bringing artists and audiences of all colors and ethnicities together.  The 8th Annual TST Ten Minute Play Festival is produced in association with the Stella Adler Theatre/LA.  Towne Street has been in residence at the Stella Adler Theatre since 2004.

“Sweet Tea: Gay Black Men of the South” runs from April 29 – May 3, 2015, Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at TST @ Stella Adler Theatre. TST @ Stella Adler Theatre is located at 6773 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028.  To purchase tickets visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/towne-street-theatre-and-proj...

Sponsors for this production of “Sweet Tea” include the Founding Donors of Project&.