Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration to Present 12 ANGRY MEN with Michael Potts, Dorian Missick & More

Project Protest: The Art of Revolution, presented by The Center for Arts & Culture at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Restoration), takes an unflinching look at how people and communities of African descent have responded to issues of inequality and social injustice through protests. Project Protest: The Art of Revolution includes theatrical presentations, a music festival and salon, films and conversations, and a multi-venue exhibit entitled Power, Protest and Resistance: The Art of Revolution with over 100 visual artists. The Center for Arts & Culture at Restoration highlights three major movements led by people of the African and Caribbean Diasporas that have, in fact, transcended local conversations and sparked national phenomena that have challenged systemic and institutionalized injustice and inequality, as it relates to Black lives. This multidisciplinary initiative places the voice of the artist at the very center of this dialogue.

"The Center for Arts & Culture at Restoration is ripe to lead a conversation on how communities of African and Caribbean descent have responded to social, educational, and economic injustices and disparities through protests," said Indira Etwaroo, Executive Director of The Center for Arts & Culture at Restoration. "While Bedford Stuyvesant navigates rapid growth, we also navigate 33% of residents living in poverty, the highest percentage of adult prison admissions in Brooklyn, and one of the highest rates of Stop-and-Frisk in NYC. Restoration has an almost 50-year year history of not only making and presenting art with world-class artists, but of linking arms with our community and tackling highly relevant and timely issues using the arts to spark conversations, rewrite narratives, and affirm the beauty and dignity of a people."

As part of this initiative, we spotlight The Billie Holiday Theatre's World Premiere, 12 Angry Men, directed by Tony Award-winner George Faison and arranged for theatrical presentation from the book 12 Angry Men: True Stories of Being a Black Man in America Today, edited by Gregory S. Parks and Matthew W. Hughey and published by The New Press.

12 Angry Men: World Premiere Theatrical Presentation

Launching the 2015-2016 Billie Holiday Theatre Season

In Partnership with The Kumble Theater, 1 University Place, Brooklyn, NY

The World Premiere of 12 Angry Men directed by Tony Award-winner George Faison and arranged for theatrical presentation from the book 12 Angry Men: True Stories of Being a Black Man in America Today, edited by Gregory S. Parks and Matthew W. Hughey and published by The New Press. In an era of contentious debate about controversial police practices and, more broadly, the significance of implications of race throughout American life, including the protests that follow, 12 Angry Men is urgent, moving, and timely. This theatrical presentation reveals some pointed truths about our nation, as a collective of African-American actors, represent a dozen African-American men from across the United States and their personal stories of being racially profiled. The presentation includes original projections by renowned artist and graphic designer Hollis King.

12 Angry Men Cast: John Amos, Jerome Preston Bates, Chuck Cooper, Jason Dirden, Nelsan Ellis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Dorian Missick, Roscoe Orman, Michael Potts, David John Washington, Victor Williams and more.

Dates: Thu, Oct 15 at 8PM | Fri, Oct 16 at 8PM | Sat, Oct 17 at 2PM and 8 PM | Sun, Oct 18 at 2PM

Pre-Show Talks: A pre-show talk is scheduled 90 minutes before each show led by one of the original writers of 12 Angry Men, social critics, journalists and historians. Pre-show talks are in partnership with The New Press and The Civilly Disobedient.

Tickets for Show and Pre-Show Talks: $45 includes a VIP seat & backstage meet-and-greet |$35|$25|$15 at www.thebillieholiday.org.