Artists Rep to present the Final Stage Performance of RODNEY KING

Artists Repertory Theatre will present Rodney King, written and performed by acclaimed actor and performance artist Roger Guenveur Smith. This production at Artists Rep will be the final stage performances of Smith's piece that has been touring since 2012. Netflix will release the new film Rodney King, directed by Spike Lee, starring Smith, on April 28. Youth and community engagement programming surrounds the four public performances, and one free student performance, held for Rodney King, April 21 through April 23, 2017.

Artists Rep's production is presented on the eve of the 25 year anniversary of the Rodney King triAl Verdict of 1992, which acquitted the four police officers who brutally beat King in 1991 and sparked the devastating L.A. riots. This story that started decades ago will open conversations about the world we live in right now. Post show discussions will follow every performance.

Fresh off show tours to Oakland and L.A., Smith unravels the myth of "the first reality TV star" in his riveting one-man performance. Rodney King tells the story of a flawed, good-hearted everyman - from his harsh entry into the national spotlight to a lonely death at the bottom of his swimming pool. It's been 25 years since the media turned the spotlight to Rodney King's treatment at the hands of four police officers, the subsequent acquittal that sparked angry riots in L.A. and opened eyes across the world. Now, Smith asks us once again, "Can we all get along?"

"Rodney King is one of the most powerful performances I've ever witnessed," said Jerry Tischleder, Frontier Series curator. "We are deeply honored and incredibly lucky to host Roger's monumental work at such a crucial time, one that coincides with the 25-year anniversary of the L.A. riots, the launch of the film version directed by Spike Lee, and most importantly, at a time when police accountability, racial tensions and our cycle of violence demand community action in Portland and across the country."

Programming for this production includes a workshop and free student matinee for area youth, a Roosevelt High School student lobby exhibit and performances from the youth of Spit/WRITE, as well as moderated post show discussions after every performance.

Made possible by an Oregon Community Foundation grant, Artists Rep will offer a free student matinee and facilitate a student workshop led by Smith. The student workshop with the renowned performance artist, actor and educator will be held at 4pm on Thursday, April 20 at Roosevelt High School. The workshop is coordinated by S. Renee Mitchell, a teacher at Roosevelt High School, artist, journalist and mentor of Portland youth. The workshop will bring together students from throughout the Portland Public Schools to work with Smith on the intersections of history, journalism and performance. These students, along with classes from high schools throughout Portland, will be the first Portland audience for Rodney King for a Friday, April 21 matinee performance.

Prior to public performances, youth involved with Mitchell's youth-voice initiative poetry project, Spit/WRITE, will perform. Additionally, a student reflection exhibit by Roosevelt High School students will be featured in the lobby.

Opportunity for audience conversation about the themes and topics in Rodney King will be held after every performance. Friday through Sundayevening post show discussions will be moderated by The Color of NOW. Saturday night's post show discussion will include a panel of Portland history and race relations experts. Following the Sunday matinee Chisao Hata will conduct a "Move Back," a movement-based post show exercise.

Rodney King was developed at the Bootleg Theater, Los Angeles, in August 2012 and subsequently presented in that city at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, Grand Performances, University of Southern California, KAOS Gallery and the Manifest Justice Festival. Among the many international venues which have presented the work are the Tate Modern Museum, London and the Right About Now Festival, Amsterdam, as well as Woolly Mammoth, Penumbra Theatre, Seattle Theatre Group, The Public Theater and Long Wharf Theatre.

Buy Tickets: 503.241.1278 or www.artistsrep.org

To post a comment, you must register and login.