The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company

2021 marks the centennial of the Black Wall Street Massacre, a two-day event that concluded on June 1, 1921. White mobs attacked the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Greenwood, then the wealthiest Black community in the United States, was called Black Wall Street. 26 Blacks and 13 whites were killed, and 800 people were hospitalized with injuries. 35 square blocks were destroyed, and 10,000 Black people were left homeless.... Harlem’s 1st Annual Black Wall Street Festival honors their legacies. LA’s own The Robey Theatre Company joins theatre companies from Los Angeles and NYC in this virtual festival starting June 22. Check it out!

As we continue celebrating Juneteenth and amplifying the voices of Black creators, please enjoy this gorgeous video from poet Lynae Vanee.

What is Juneteenth? Our friends at Independent Shakespeare Co. provide history & education. A special shout out to US Teaching Artist Carene Rose Mekertichyan for her incredible work with ISC. Produced by Bukola Ogunmola Featuring: Patrick Batiste, Kendell Byrd, Melissa Chalsma, Aisha Kabia, Evan Lewis Smith, Carene Rose Mekertichyan, Katherine Powers, Philicia Saunders... Edited by Nikhil Pai https://vimeo.com/430861287

Looking for a list of events and organizations to support in LA this Juneteenth? https://losangeles.cbslocal.com//list-of-juneteenth-event/ Your favorite event missing? Tag in the comments so we can share.

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden proclaimed Juneteenth as a federal holiday. This Juneteenth, The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company reinforces our commitment to anti-racism diversity, equity and inclusion. We recognize this holiday is not enough and must be followed by specific actions that uplift and center the Black community. Over the coming months, our company will both learn and unlearn, and share our progress with you all, our stakeholders, to hold us accountable. ... We are proud to amplify BIPOC voices and organizations already doing this work by sharing their posts and events throughout the weekend. Black Lives Matter and Happy Juneteenth.

Today we celebrate the amazing leader that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was, and echo his wise words in the hope to inspire the next generation of leaders. #TheUnusualSuspects #martinlutherkingjr

Theatre allows our youth to build on skills that can be used beyond the theatre stage! Our Youth Theatre Residency Program offers our youth a safe space for creative expression while also fostering essential skills like self-confidence and public speaking. #TheUnusualSuspects #artseducation

The Unusual Suspects believes "if you can see it, you can be it"! Congrats to US supporter Tess Paras for breaking barriers, setting an example, and inspiring the next generation of talent to "realize their limitless potential! #TheUnusualSuspects #viacomcbs

Juggling too many things in life? Feeling uninspired? Come join The Unusual Suspects! We just love how CREATIVE our Teaching Artists are! Check out this fun commercial they created as part of an exercise in last week's training. It's no wonder they're guiding our youth on their artistic journey, giving them the tools they need to thrive! #TheUnusualSuspects #TeachingArtist

Did you know that January is #MentoringMonth? Our mentors play a vital role in creating a provide a safe space for our youth. Our Teaching Artists and Volunteer Mentors have been instrumental in helping US pivot our workshops to a virtual space and even helped US provide over 353 workshops last year! We are so lucky to be able to work with amazing Volunteer Mentors and Teaching Artists that make a difference in the lives of our participants and the communities we serve. Thank you, mentors! #TheUnusualSuspects #mentor

Don't Fret! You can Still Watch "The Family Tree"! - https://mailchi.mp/theunusualsuspects/familytree-link

"On Sept. 30, Gavin Newsom signed SB 823 into law...It establishes meaningful oversight, funding for community programs and protections for youth at risk of transfer to the criminal justice system. This offers a unique opportunity to improve local approaches to juvenile justice in alignment with youth development, health and racial justice." This landmark decision directly impacts the disadvantaged and incarcerated youth we serve and we will continue to work hard to reach as many youth as possible with our vital programs that incorporate trauma-informed healing practices, with standards-based theatre-arts education and mentoring to impacted youth. #TheUnusualSuspects #criminaljusticereform

Did you miss last Saturday's World Premiere of the Alumni Theatre Residency Program's inaugural play, "The Family Tree"? Well, here it is in all its glory! Grab some and enjoy!

Teachers like Ms. Deborah Rafael at Sepulveda Middle School continue to see the benefits of our programming with her students, especially as we pivoted to a virtual space. We continue to try and aid students from falling behind by offering our vital programming to participants, building a safe place for creative expression, while fostering new essential 21st Century Skills! #TheUnusualSuspects #artseducation

After completing our Youth Theatre Residency Programs for the 2019-2020 school year, our participants at the middle schools we serve agree that they have "learned to respect people who are different from me". Through ensemble building workshops, our participants are able to come together and develop self-esteem, respect, and tolerance of others, as well as the communication, coping, and behavioral skills necessary to thrive. #TheUnusualSuspects #artmatters

We are seeking professional actors to read in one of our seasonal Page Plays! A Page Play is a celebration of our playwriting program where a professional cast performs our students' original play with scripts in hand through the magic of Zoom. Help US bring our participants' work to life for the first time ever and create an impact that will last a lifetime. Interested in getting involved or know an actor that would be perfect? Share with a friend! To sign up, visit http://bit.ly/usactorsignup. #TheUnusualSuspects #actor

We are BLOWN AWAY by the Alumni Program Theatre Residency's performance of "The Family Tree". Written and performed by workshop participants from schools, community centers, and previously incarcerated youth, this moving story explored many timely topics through a series of vignettes and tough conversations. With a touch of reality, this amazing inaugural performance left a lasting impression and encouraged deeper conversation and the start of change. Don't worry if you missed the live stream, you can watch their groundbreaking performance here and share it with a friend! #TheUnusualSuspects #alumni

Join the cast & crew of the inaugural Alumni Program Summer Theatre Residency as they premiere "The Family Tree", a multi-generational drama that was completely written and performed over Zoom! - See the filmed play! - Join the post-show Q&A! - Learn about The Alumni Program!... - Become a supporter of The Unusual Suspects! See more

Today is the Day! Join US for the Alumni Theatre Residency Program's original play "The Family Tree". Through the Alumni Theatre Residency Program, #alumni come together to write and perform their own original play. Our alumni have been hard at work and can't wait to show you what they have created. Join the audience to meet our alumni and watch their world premiere play, "The Family Tree", streamed live on our Facebook page TODAY at 2pm! #TheUnusualSuspects

Don't Forget to Tune In to Watch "The Family Tree" TODAY! - https://mailchi.mp/theunusualsuspects/familytree

#flashback to a very special video produced by Josh Groban's Find Your Light Foundation featuring US and our very own Roberto, a participant at Edison Middle School. This video highlights the importance of theatre arts education and the impact it can have on the lives of our participants. "If this program wouldn’t be here, my son would be somewhere else like hanging out with the bad guys The Unusual Suspects provides vital theatre-arts education to opportunity youth, giving them the tools to acquire vital academic skills as well as social and coping skills. #TheUnusualSuspects #artmatters

Join US for a Performance! - https://mailchi.mp/theunusualsuspects/usperformances

TOMORROW is the world premiere of our Alumni Program Theatre Residency's presentation of "The Family Tree". Through the Alumni Program Theatre Residency, alumni come together to write and perform their own original play. Join the audience to meet our alumni and watch their world premiere play, "The Family Tree", streamed live on our Facebook page on October 17th at 2pm. You won't want to miss it! Visit https://fb.me/e/3cp9PK5cN to RSVP to our Facebook event! #TheUnusualSuspects #alumni