Rebecca, 23. Being one of the few company members of Truthworker since 2013, Becca balanced rehearsal, attending school at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, & worked to support herself and her family. Growing up in Brownsville, she has witnessed a lot of people die, and even more who’ve gone to jail–many judged unfairly. With this hunger for justice fueling her academic pursuits, she graduated with a B.A in forensic psychology and, using the tools she learned through Truthworker Theatre Company, Rebecca currently works with youth. She mentors kids, helping them to explore their own creativity and the arts within school settings. Rebecca is grateful to have found her voice through Truthworker and to be able to have a safe space to articulate and share her truth. One goal that Rebecca wishes to accomplish is to be a psychologist for trauma victims and to learn how art can be a tool for healing.
Enlil “Rae” McRae, 22. “The only thing I ever wanted, was to be a great man for the future. I desire to inspire before I expire”
Johari Farrar 20, is a Sophomore at Temple University School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. She is currently a Theater major with an Acting Concentration and hopes to potentially pick up a minor in African-American Studies or Communications. Johari joined Truthworker Theatre Company when she was a Freshman in high school and has been a part of the family ever since. With a passion for social justice and the betterment of her community through the arts, becoming a member of Truthworker was the answer to many of her prayers. Over the years, the company has helped her to hone her artistic abilities, practice networking skills, and develop and maintain an authentic sense of self when faced with varying obstacles. Even though she has gone off to pursue a degree in a different state, she does her absolute best to show up fully for the company when she has time off from school, as they have shown up fully for her, time and time again. Johari would like to give a personal shout out to Samara Gaev, the founder and artistic director of Truthworker, as well as Alixa Garcia, the technical director of the company; two women without whom, Johari does not know who or where she would be. They have been more than just directors to her, but mentors/aunties/confidants/etc. She hopes to amount to be even half the women they are someday and is endlessly grateful for all they have done.
Saint James, 21. Let us be, Beacons of unwavering flame, Soaking the world in our truth Let us live, Along the boundaries of our expansion, In the spirit of constant growth Let us love, Entirely, effortlessly, endlessly Let us hope, Our sweet light seeps through the pores of conviction, For we are reflections of The self We are Universal Multiversal Infinite
Ethan Romero, 21 is a performing artist from Brooklyn. Dealing with a past full of loss, he has learned to appreciate the beauty of life, and all that comes with it. Social justice and equality are at the forefront of his focus as he utilizes the arts to spread the message about the injustices and inequalities that happen both within his own community, and in the world, globally. Being a vocalist and poet in the company, Ethan has also learned to use his voice for healing. Being able to call on the gifts he’s been given and use them towards healing, offers him the confidence that he will be able to touch many lives through his art. “When you become the image of your own imagination, it’s the most powerful thing you could ever do.” ― RuPaul
Cory Fletcher, 23. Since early childhood, I always wanted to entertain anyone and everyone I was around. I have truly learned the importance and purity of creating positive energy and sharing love and laughter. Love is energy. Laughter is Universal. I am eternally grateful and appreciative of all of the opportunities and memories that have served as tools towards my success in my acting career. Being in Truthworker is more than being in a theatre company. It has helped me to grow, confide, share, experience, and, most importantly, it has helped me to become one with people whom I now consider family.
Desi, 21. Before joining Truthworker almost 5 years ago, I had absolutely no experience in the performing arts. After meeting Samara Gaev in 2013, I was offered the opportunity to turn my dreams into reality. Receiving free training, deep healing, loving guidance, and endless opportunities to travel with our art, I have learned so much about leadership & the power of using the arts towards social change. Though I would like to go far in acting, I have also gained an interest in working behind the scenes, stage management, and in assistant directing. As I continue to grow through my work with Truthworker, I appreciate all of the support given to me. Truthworker is more than a theatre company, it is a family. Love you all.
KOTTON (carnell Keith steward), 21, is a being of many doings, but his thoughts exceed the body’s fluidity, so he is passionate for a movement with the earth. Kotton is interested in expressing the deeper meaning that exists at the root of how we use our vessels and the cells within us to express a rooted movement of a more intimate human connection. While you may not hear Carnell speak often, if his lips are not moving, be sure that whatever is to move within him can speak to you. With a very strong and intuitive passion, Kotton believes in exploring conversations with self first, before moving too quickly, so that he can express the cell-u-ar through outlets such as Truthworker, which has been a wonderful experience for him. This is Carnell’s third circle with the company. Everything he gives within his being, he prays will be felt in your heart.
Jazmin Luperena defines herself as an artivist (artist + activist) who makes a positive impact on others through her art. While her passion lies in acting, she deeply enjoys all forms of creativity. She is a proud member of Truthworker Theatre Company where she focuses on raising awareness around issues of mass incarceration and the school to prison pipeline. She has also worked with another social justice group, Oscar nominated Impact Repertory Theatre Company. You can see her appearance as Tweaky, on Marvel’s Netflix Original Series, “Jessica Jones”. Jazmin is an eccentric artist working towards creating a platform of influence to change the world. She believes in humanity and magic, and in the power that we all have to encounter it in our daily lives. “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” – Pablo Picasso
Kayla Brathwaite, 20, is currently a student studying Communications Management and Design at Ithaca College, who will graduating in 2019. An original member of Truthworker Theatre Company, since age 15, she has toured with the company to Columbia University, Oberlin College, Marion Institute’s Connecting for Change Conference, and many more as a performer and workshop facilitator. Although she has gone on to college, Kayla still works with the company when she can, and has most recently been instrumental in the development of a new work in development which explores gender based violence, healing, and survival. Kayla can be found in the short films Angry Black B*tch (2016) and Black Bandits (2018) written by April Carol. Brathwaite is also the President of the D.O.P.E Steppers of IC, a step team on Ithaca College’s campus that honors the history and art of step and works to serve as a space where students of color can learn about themselves and the world around them. She continues to be committed to using the arts towards healing, activism, and social justice, and is grateful to Truthworker for being a catalyst for this life’s work.
Zafar, 22. “Truthworker is my backyard. An escape from the reality that is this brick city. Truthworker is a space where I ground myself to earth, and where the creative vacuum in my head gives birth. It is a place where there are cushions when you fall and where you got more friends than fingers if you need to talk.”
Dreamer. Daughter. Dancer. Lover. Prison abolitionist. Movement fairy. Earth adoring. Liberation believing. Donnay 23, is a Brooklyn born Black/multiracial Truthworker. She is from a working class background in Brooklyn NY, where she was raised by a collective of single mothers. She believes the power and necessity of transformative justice. With a brother in and out of prison, her deep analysis of the prison industrial complex is fueled by her complex personal experience. She trusts in the power of art to reconcile the past and help us all envision a future where all our complex love-centered imaginations can flourish. She winds through writing, poetry, and movement to story share. Donnay is an Oberlin graduate, and is currently pursuing her MFA in Performance Studies at Pratt.