Join us for a captivating citywide listening event that delves into a transformative period in Wichita and the nation's history. This free event is proudly sponsored by Fidelity Bank and the Wichita Arts Council, with support from the ARISE Ensemble and The Kansas African American Museum.
🎉 Mark Your Calendars for June 9th for the Premiere Listening Event of "The Real Education of TJ Crowley: Coming of Age on the Redline". 🎉

This grand celebration will feature a live listening session, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Carla Eckels of KMUW, Wichita’s NPR station. Don't miss this opportunity to experience a powerful story and engage in meaningful dialogue.

Date & Time: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Sunday, June 9, 2024

Content Advisory: Some content may be too intense for sensitive listeners. Parental guidance is suggested.(Rated PG: Age 13+)

Special Offers: Get your copy of the original book, audio CDs, and download codes before the national release on Tuesday, June 11th by Blackstone Audio.

ABOUT

The audio theater production celebrates the power of storytelling and its ability to educate, inspire, and transform. From its inception as a novel to its adaptation into an immersive audio drama, the project represents a collaborative effort to address historical injustices and promote racial harmony.

Adapted from the novel by author Grant Overstake, the radio-theater style drama is set amidst the Civil Rights movement, school integration, and the Vietnam War. It explores the social impact of redlining, a discriminatory practice that segregated American cities and profoundly affected the lives of residents in northeast Wichita. The hard-hitting yet hopeful story is enriched by the soul-stirring music of the ARISE Ensemble.

OUR CAST

The drama features a 15-member cast and is led by multi-award winning actors Dani Martineck as TJ Crowley; Dion Graham as Dr. Washington and Tavia Gilbert as Kate Crowley; as well as Wichita's own John Wright as the radio announcer, and Sheila Brown Kinnard in a role inspired by her mother, Josephine Brown.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

- Exclusive Preview: Be among the first to experience selected scenes from the audio drama in a stunning audio-visual presentation.

- Engaging Discussion: Participate in a thought-provoking discussion with local residents who lived in the neighborhood where the story is set, and learn about its historical significance.

Moderated by Carla Eckels, Director of Cultural Diversity for News and Engagement at Wichita’s NPR affliate KMUW, the panel will include Sheila Brown Kinnard, Andy Bias, Dr. Michael Birzer, and Grant Overstake, all of whom grew up in the neighborhood where the story is set. Their unique perspectives and firsthand experiences will provide invaluable insights into the historical and cultural context of the story, making the discussion both enlightening and engaging.

Sheila Brown Kinnard is a celebrated actress, vocalist, and retired drama educator known for her profound impact on the Wichita music and theater scene. Andy Bias, a member of the ARISE Ensemble, served as the second African American commissioner for District Four in Sedgwick County and is the founder of Bias Development Group. Dr. Michael Birzer is a professor of criminal justice at Wichita State University and a leading expert on police behavior, racial profiling, and qualitative research methods.