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 term will have a three-fold, powerhouse experience and is designed as follows:

THE WORKSHOP

This 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 in 2022. 

Artists selected for the workshop have access to all other Free The Arts programming. 

MAX CLASS SIZE: 12 ARTISTS 

Seed Price: $500/month; $1500/total

THE MASTER CLASS SERIES

Artists selected to take part in the Free The Arts Fall/Winter 2021 Season also receive access to 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 TRAINING GROUND (ACTING CLASSES)

Level I - Acting Foundations/Basics/Selftape

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

THE FREEDOM LUNCHES

The Freedom Lunch portion of The Freedom Workshop reimagines what an “Industry Q&A Panel” can be. 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 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.

THE FREEDOM RIDE

The Freedom Workshop culminates in a free and open to the public showings of the work Free The Arts has been working on over the three months we all spend 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 scenes from students participating in the Training Courses.

This is an entire Free The Arts Festival. 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 students they wish to know more about and provide opportunities for!

DJ included. Reception to follow with the intention of fostering more connection, community and opportunity.