I went to prison last night thanks to the LAPD. That is, the Los Angeles Poverty Department, the activist theatre company that John Malpede runs with the residents of Skid Row. The Box Gallery on Chung King Road was transformed into a prison space much like where Duc Ta now lives -- bunk beds completely filling the place with only narrow passage between rows. Before the performance started, with everyone talking, I understood what Duc meant when he said the place is as noisy as Wall Street. The actors gave us a taste of prison life in more ways than one, even preparing in front of us a communal prison meal. Again, something I'd heard about but never seen. Men and woman dumping ramen noodles into a big plastic bag, adding whatever they had -- packets of tuna, crumbled Doritos, canned sausage, mayo, jalapenos, tortilla strips, whole raw garlic cloves. Then add hot water. Mix and massage the mess. It looked awful. Someone handed me a bowl and to be a good sport, I ate it. Man, it actually tasted good! The LAPD is doing more performances along with education about the prison system, overcrowding, mental health issues, and lack of reentry services. They'll be taken the performance and installation "State of Incarceration" to Chuco's Justice Center and Highways Performance Space and then on tour to other parts of the US. For some reason, I can't create a link so here's their website:
http://lapovertydept.org/
RSS Feed