(All Pull Together)
by Marie Y. Lemelle
Director/Dramaturg Ben Guillory
The Robey Theatre Company will present a staged reading of a new play, Harambee! Harambee! (All Pull Together) written by Marie Y. Lemelle and directed by Robery Co-Founder Ben Guillory on Sunday, January 15, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013. The reading will conclude with a Q&A.
The timing of this reading makes sense during the weekend of Dr. Martin Luther King Day celebrated on January 16, 2023. Observed for the first time on January 20, 1986, the progress of carrying out the mission and vision of Dr. King’s dream is still not fully realized. Work is still necessary and perhaps incorporating the Kwanzaa principles as a daily affirmation could be the guideline needed to move the needle forward.
“As an activist and writer, my vision was to amplify the purpose and re-visit the intention about Kwanzaa and its seven principles (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith) recognized during the week of Dec. 26 through January 1, especially following the aftermath of the pandemic, the deadliest time in modern history affecting all races, and the civil unrest sparked by the horrific public murder of George Floyd. I am thankful for the Robey Theatre Company’s platform,” said Marie Y. Lemelle who is a board member of the YWCA Glendale-Pasadena and the Global Media Director for LiveStreamers.com.
ABOUT THE STORY
Now that the pandemic travel restrictions are lifted, Professor Peter Agu is back in the US after an 18-month sabbatical in Ghana with his new Ghanaian bride. His goal is to incorporate in his daily lessons of American history at a university in Southern California the crimes against humanity, especially the Black population, and introduce the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa in an attempt to begin to change the world’s negative narrative. But without tenure, the concern is his job may be in jeopardy by teaching what is considered Critical Race Theory. Despite warnings from the school administration and the rising tensions and hostilities among the diverse students, he introduces Kwanzaa values and continues to challenge them, addressing current world social injustice and amplifying Black awareness. Some fiercely resist and are not ready for the ugly truth and a possible solution, but when the class is hit with a tragedy, all bets are off, and all are ”WOKE.”
The readers: Actors Tina Tena Ansah, Allison Blaize, David Bollar, Christina Childress, Idress Degas, Rogelio Douglass Jr. III, Sadia Jahin, Chelsea Martin, Megan Herbst, David Ty Reza, Terrance Stewart, James Cane Welson, Olivia Xing, Alex W.S.T. Chumley. (Actors subject to change).
EVENT DATE
Sunday, January 15th at 3 pm to 5:30 pm. Show will include a 15-minute intermission. We will serve our guests coffee, tea, and cake during the 15-minute intermission. A Q&A will follow the reading with playwright Marie Y. Lemelle moderated by director/dramaturge Ben Guillory.
LOCATION
The reading will take place in the intimate Theatre Four at Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013. Because seating is limited, reservations are required. HARAMBEE! HARAMBEE! (ALL PULL TOGETHER) by playwright Marie Y. Lemelle — The Robey Theatre Company
PARKING at a Discount (Depends on Availability)
Joes’ Parking
530 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Before you leave the theatre, please ask for a parking validation for a discounted parking fee. Otherwise, you can look for other parking locations and parking meters on the street. Read street signs as they have changed.
RESERVATIONS
Email your RSVP to office@therobeytheatrecompany.org or call (213) 489-7402. Include the person attending the event contact name, email, phone and how many people in your party. Free event! There is a suggested donation of $10.
Complete covid vaccination and booster shots are strongly recommended but no longer required at The Los Angeles Theatre Center. Audience members will be asked to wear masks inside the auditorium during Robey’s performances.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Marie Lemelle is the playwright. Her journey in the entertainment industry began as a professional boxing team publicist. She is the founder and CEO of Platinum Star PR and Platinum Star Media Group. Ever evolving, Marie has mastered the roles of publicist, casting director, film producer, screenwriter, and book author. An award-winning journalist, she has written nearly 700 articles and authored two weekly columns, Health Matters, and Rx Report, for the Los Angeles Wave Newspaper. Lemelle also writes for other US-based and international publications. She is the recipient of an MBA from the University of La Verne and a Journalism certificate from UCLA. Follow her on IG @platinumstarpr
