The Untethered: Homecoming 2020

Healing & Belonging: Theatre as Family

The Untethered, a troupe of BIPOC Theatre alumni, present their new work in "Homecoming." This never-before-seen live online event series features performances of song, dance, spoken word and monodrama exploring the quest of diverse artists to carve out their own space at W&M and the American creative landscape. Followed by an open discussion from the cast, "Homecoming" is more than a performance, it is a "liberated unspooling of untold stories from W&M community."

HEALING & BELONGING, Feb 19: While both night 2 and 3 have a special focus on mental health as regards minoritized students, with night 2 having a special focus on the diverse and multicultural arts community outside the theatre department. Edward Hong performs "I Am Korean American." Jason Blackwell pays tribute to Langston Hughes and his impact on his artistic career, as he is now the ARts Administrator for the San Francisco Arts Commission. Ryann Tanap performs spoken word about her first time in group therapy after overcoming the cultural taboo of seeking help. Alana Canty-Samuel will have a mini-concert with 3 song numbers. Francis Edemobi will perform THE ONLY CHILD exploring his journey to LA since his casting in Our Lady of 121st St. Chris Richardson will close the night with a song and reflection.

Cast

Performer	Alana Canty-Samuel ’18. Currently, Alana is an NYC based theatre professional, working for the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation, a non-profit that supports theatre and Off-Broadway.
Performer	FRANCIS EDEMOBI: FILM: Solo Orange (Identity Production Studios), McBreezy (VCUart), Amori Blue (Identity Production Studios). TV: Abduction (Arrowside Films). THEATRE: Sense and Sensibility (W&M), Our Lady of 121st (W&M). TRAINING: Graham Shiels Studios (Film and Television), LAMDA (Screen Acting), Elizabeth Wiley (Voice), Francis Tanglao Aguas (Somatic Improv).
Performer	Edward Hong is an actor who constantly obsesses over Cinnabons, to the point that he advertises himself with the fat pastry product. He's been on a gaggle of primetime TV shows, indie films, commercials, has dubbed over other people in a variety of Netflix shows, and other miscellaneous things that help pay for his gluttonous addiction. He is also the proud father of three cats and currently repped by Anthony Boyer at DDO Artists Agency and Chris Lee at Authentic Talent & Literary Management.
Performer	Jason M. Blackwell is the Associate Director for Grants for the Arts for the City and County of San Francisco, the largest arts funder in the City. There he has been integral in retooling their General Operating Support grant program to have an equity lens, specifically around racial and geographic equity. Jason, previously, worked for the James Irvine Foundation, where his portfolio included the Arts Engagement Initiative, Research and Development Initiative and the Immigrant Integration and Protecting Immigrant Rights Initiative. During his time at the foundation, he served as a principal member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, assisted the foundation in its statewide community listening efforts, and was integral to the foundation’s work in the equity sector. Prior to the Irvine Foundation, he worked at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and at numerous performing arts institutions in Los Angeles and New York City in areas of development, capital projects, and programming. Jason earned a master’s of professional studies in Arts and Cultural Management from Pratt Institute and attended business school at W&M for his undergraduate studies.
Performer	CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL RICHARDSON: Christopher Michael Richardson is an actor and teaching artist in the Washington D.C. area. He has appeared in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (The Musical) at The John F. Kennedy Center TYA; Matilda at Olney Theatre Center; You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown at Imagination Stage (Helen Hayes Award, TYA Production); and The Wiz at Ford’s Theatre (Helen Hayes Nomination, Supporting Actor). He holds a BA in English and Theatre from The College of William & Mary.
Performer	RYANN TANAP: Ryann Tanap is a writer and advocate for mental health and suicide prevention. She openly talks about her lived experience, and facilitates mental health workshops for students and young professionals. Ryann loves to explore mediums for telling her story, whether it's through essays, poetry or spoken word. Her writing has been published by Sole Literary Journal, Asian American Literary Review, and Rappler.