Lyric Opera 2018-2019 Issue 7 La Boheme #2

L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O January 10 - 31, 2019 | 13 Kevin Ambrose, (pictured, left), who was flourishing as a theater student at Chicago’s Columbia College, was just 19 when he was tragically shot and killed on the city’s south side. A naturally gifted performer, Kevin had a knack for dance and stage work from a young age. He was waiting for a friend at a train platform on May 7, 2013, when gunshots rang out, striking Kevin multiple times in the back. He was an unintended target. This unfathomable loss, felt by all who knew and loved Kevin, inspired a music theater piece seen on the Harris Theater stage on September 10, 2017, as part of Lyric Unlimited’s Chicago Voices initiative. Launched in January 2016, Chicago Voices was a multiyear program that celebrated the city’s vibrant and diverse vocal culture and explored the untold stories of its communities. Community Created Performances was a signature element of the initiative, and sought out Chicago-area groups looking to share their unique stories through music. After a rigorous application process and an online public vote, three groups were selected to create an original piece based on their life experiences. Lyric provided them each with a $10,000 stipend, along with training from some of the city’s leading professionals in the areas of dance, acting, scriptwriting, movement, and performance arts. Blu Rhythm Collective, a high-energy dance troupe based in Chicago’s south-side Bronzeville neighborhood, was thrilled to learn they were one of the three groups selected for the program’s second year. One of its members, choreographer Tanji Harper, had a personal connection to Kevin and his mother, Ebony Ambrose. The group collectively decided to use their performance to pay homage to Kevin’s story, and shed light on how the city’s youth often use the arts to overcome obstacles and deal with grief. “I was honored, appreciative, and a little hesitant,” said Ebony Ambrose. “I’m very protective of Kevin’s story and image. I liked the idea of seeing his story from the perspective of people in his age group, that are interested in the same things that he was interested in, and that knew him.” After 16 weeks of preparation, the three groups presented their final performances to a packed house at the Harris Theater in downtown Chicago. Ambrose was immediately struck by what Blu Rhythm showcased. “The final performance was amazing,” she said. “We brought about 20 people and didn’t tell them much, other than that it was a professional production and that one of the perfor- mances is inspired by our story.” Ambrose recounts that when the curtain went up and the entirety of the set came into view, her family had an instant emotional response. “I had so many emotions,” she continued. “I was so proud of them because they did such a wonderful job. The dancing, the singing and rapping, the acting, and the set was amazing. The whole production felt honest, respectful, and mindful.” About a year before this, Marge Nyzaka took part in the first round of Community Created Performances. Her group, Harmony, Hope & Healing, provides music-based programming to homeless and underserved communities, offering emotional and spiritual support to help them prevail over daily struggles they encounter. The group was excited when they learned of the opportunity. “As a small non-profit doing work in the community helping to empower An inside look at the impact of Lyric's community engagement efforts By Kamaria Morris As part of Lyric Unlimited’s Chicago Voices initiative, Blu Rhythm Collective performed their music-theater piece honoring the memory of Kevin Ambrose (1994-2013), pictured below left. MICHAEL BROSILOW