Event

Guardin' Roots

The stage play "Guardin' Roots" explores the life of a young man named Dontae Waters. A recently released ex-con who attempts to re-enter his community. Struggling with surviving in a society as a convicted felon Dontae is forced to makes choices. In his journey, he meets La'ray Dixon. A young urban gardener, who suggests a new life, unlike anything he had known. The life of an urban gardener and community activist. However, with the constant pull from Dontae's negative past; Buck, an old friend, who wants something Dontae has, will not let his once most profitable employee go without a fight. With the help of his community, will Dontae be strong enough to overcome his systematic conditions?

After each performance the audience will be given plantable seeds and will be asked to plan them in a pre-designated area for the community to see this simple transformation of beautiful flowers. The idea is that once people see how their seed contributed to this effort they can begin to see how their investment in a grocery store or renovating a vacant lot can make a difference if we all come together. What is so wonderful about this concept is that it includes everyone in the community for example: wise older folks, energetic youth, and those formerly incarcerated.