Free The Arts offers powerhouse experiences curated for diverse artists to get a turbo jolt of quality, top-notch access to cutting-edge training and community in the entertainment industry.
So often diverse artists find themselves broken in unnecessary areas from carrying the weight of being a “minority” not only in top-tier areas of the entertainment industry at large but while at top training programs as well.
The intention of this workshop is to foster and provide the liberating tools, resources and space necessary to BE FREE not only in their work as actors and performers but as people on the leading edge pushing culture to new heights.
The artist must be liberated in their own mind, body and soul before they can do the rigorous creative work that serves to free the mind, body and soul of humanity. It is a practice and process. This workshop activates that process while strengthening the practice.
FREE THE ARTS
FALL/WINTER ‘21
Free The Arts is a holistic experience where all Black artists free themselves from any limitation holding them back from achieving their heart’s desire in their work. And as they release themselves into a radically liberated experience with their artistry, the art they release into the world frees the hearts and minds of humanity. Free The Arts, a safe-haven for ALL Black artists to cultivate new visions born from their liberated black imaginations. Free The Arts is a living, breathing body of diverse Black artists coming together as one to put each other on-game through innovative training, community, opportunity, and the making of bold, new works for a unique and ever-growing audience.
This Fall/Winter 2021-22 Season is designed as follows:
THE SHAY FELLOWSHIP
Shay Wafer and Michele Shay are two arts leaders who have been incredible mentors, supporters and way makers for me in my career and life since day one. They are my artistic GodMothers and the best part is that I’m not the only one they’ve been there for. In the spirit of supreme guidance, meaningful mentorship, and providing opportunity to the younger generations this fellowship is named for them.
The Shay Fellowship is for an artist exhibiting exceptional career promise, supreme work ethic and a certain God given ability to tell stories. Which is to say they can’t see themselves doing anything else without doing this work. These artists are multi-hyphenates who could benefit from an intensive three month program centering mentorship, opportunity, community and healing.
This fellowship supports the artist as they build a solo work over the course of the three-month Free The Arts season, culminating in a public, live-recorded performance at The Free The Arts Festival. The fellowship comes with a $5,000 stipend to further support the artist financially.
30 Artists were nominated to submit for the fellowship by Black arts leaders and soldiers in the Los Angeles Theatre Arts Community. The artists and their powerful submissions were then brought before a fierce and mighty Selection Committee. Seven finalists were chosen by the committee then brought before Free The Arts founder Larry Powell for interviews. Three artists were selected as fellows. *Will announce soon
THE FREEDOM WORKSHOP
Directed by Larry Powell. This once a week workshop is an exploration for a larger integrative training program with the ability to springboard selected diverse artists into a world of opportunity and community in the entertainment industry. We do this by devising a fearless, bold piece of live theatre together to be performed before an audience during the big Free The Arts Festival Weekend.
Artists selected for the workshop have access to all other Free The Arts programming.
MAX: 12 ARTISTS
Seed Price: $500/month; $1500/total
THE TRAINING GROUND
LEVEL 1 - ACTING FOUNDATIONS / BASICS / SELFTAPE
This once a week on-line/virtual class serves as an introduction to Acting and creating an actor’s process from ground zero. Through focused class discussions, play readings of works from the Black canon of American Theatre, script analysis and a series of acting exercises, students will learn the fundamentals of acting for the stage and camera, break common myths about acting that are holding us back from our best work on stage/in front of the camera, and learn the basis of producing high quality self tapes. Led by Galen J. Williams.
MAX: 12 ARTISTS
Seed Price: $500/month; $1500/total
LEVEL II - ADVANCED SCENE STUDY
This once a week class is an advanced scene study class where the artist deepens their ability to show up as their most authentic self in their work. Gifting tools for deep, immediate and nuanced storytelling. Insights and trade secrets on how to make magic no matter the medium. This class is certain to help lead the artist into an experience of total transformation in their work as a storyteller. Scene analysis. Character Development. Imagination work. Selftape Mastery. Led by Larry Powell.
MAX: 12 ARTISTS
Seed Price: $500/month; $1500/total
THE MASTER CLASS SERIES
All artists participating in the Free The Arts Fall/Winter 2021 Season also receive access to 6 specialized mini-workshops with accomplished experts in the field of entertainment. Master classes on Acting, on The Business of Business, on Organization, Creating Your Own Work, and rare SelfTape Audition Techniques with Mythbusting Casting Directors/Directors, and more!
THE FREEDOM LUNCHES
All artists participating in the Free The Arts Fall/Winter 2021 Season gain access to the Freedom Lunches.
The Freedom Lunches reimagine what an “Industry Q&A Panel” can be. Larry says, “I’ve always received the best anecdotal gems and pearls of wisdom at Lunch Meetings or at meal breaks while working On Set or in The Green Room between shows or on late nights lounging in a Mentor’s Living Room.” This is the vibe of The Freedom Lunch. Laid back and intentional. Think: Summit.
It’s when a group of leading artists/professionals who have done well for themselves and have something to offer gather with the promising artists taking the workshop, break bread with them and have a conversation that leaves everyone satisfied, empowered and nourished on many levels.
The artists and professionals confirmed for The Freedom Lunches so far are Obie Award Winners, Emmy Award Nominees, Grammy Nominees, Well-Known Casting Directors, High-Powered PR Persons, Fierce Producers, Leading Actors on Major Projects and many, many more fancy things I can say about the 20+ human beings supporting this workshop.
THE FREEDOM RIDE
Free The Arts Season Programming culminates in a weekend of free and open to the public showings of the work that has been brewing over the three months we all have spent together. This is called The Freedom Ride as the audience takes a ride with The Shay Fellows, via their Solo Shows, The Freedom Workshop Artists, via their Devised One-Act Play, and informal showings of the scenework of artists participating in the Training Ground Courses.
The Freedom Ride is a celebration of black joy and healing through art. A Weekend of Programming that is sure to engage and impact exploring the question: What does it mean for us to be free?
*Industry Guests are also invited in the hopes they will set up meetings with the artists they wish to know more about and provide opportunities for!
Oh yea, and of course, issa party! DJ included. Reception to follow with the intention of fostering more connection, community and opportunity.
PROGRAM HOURS
Every Weekend
Nov 2021-Feb 2022
10AM - 6PM
currently accepting fall/winter 21 submissions
Complete the form below for consideration.
