Young LGBT Performers Ready to 'Rise Up and Shout'

Earlier this year, West Hollywood sponsored in Plummer Park for the biannual Rise Up & Shout! performance evening that seeks to give LGBT young people a creative voice and welcome them into a supportive gay community.

After months of workshops and rehearsals, the new show, hosted by America's Got Talent breakout star Prince Poppycock, goes on at 7 p.m. Saturday night at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood. The theatre lobby will feature an exhibit presented by ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives on LGBT history, so early arrival is encouraged. 

Young performers will showcase their ability in such areas as song, rap, poetry, dance, music, acting, comedy and performance art. A reception with the cast will follow the event.

Veteran gay activists Don Kilhefner and Mark Thompson founded the nonprofit program in 2006, providing LGBT youth aged 16 to 26 with workshops, one-on-one and group support meetings, education and rehearsals, under the guidance of artists and community leaders whose ages range from 30 to 80.

Brian Gleason, a psychotherapist who produces the show, called “finding their creative voice” a crucial aspect of a young person’s coming out process. 

Joey Shanley, a West Hollywood resident and the group’s fundraising chairperson, said that Rise Up and Shout! is an opportunity to welcome the next generation of queer youth into the community.

“It’s about delivering young people into a gay community they didn’t know existed,” Stanley said. “It gives them a chance to meet elders in our community who have done incredible work” as openly gay artists and activists.

Theater veteran Jim Pentecost, who has been involved with such Broadway
productions as La Cage aux Folles, Gypsy, and Crimes of the Hear, will direct
the show. Noted artist Don Bachardy has donated an image for this year’s Rise Up and Shout! poster, which will be on sale.

The show has sold out in the past and early ticket reservations are recommended. Visit the group’s website for more information.

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