Lil’ Red is an original musical exploring black protectionism and rape culture. This Musical is an alternative crossover on Little Red Riding Hood, The 3 Little Pigs, and other fairytale characters.
Lil’ Red follows a young black girl’s journey with her body and sexual identity. Living in the hood, she is surrounded by a community where women's bodies are always a topic of conversation. They stay talking shit ‘bout the accusations of the 3 little pigs, so when Red faces her big bad wolf she has a tough choice to make. Stay silent or speak out?
When I was young I made a promise to myself that my trials and tribulations would not be without triumph. (Yes those were my exact words). This is me keeping that promise.
Did you know April is Sexual Assault Awareness month?
According Central MN Sexual Assault Center, 60% of rape cases go unreported. For a long time I was a part of that 60%. Counting those unreported cases, only 6% of offenders ever actually serve a day in jail. Wildly enough a test to see if I have learning disabilities (spoiler I do), turned into a 3 year long court process. I testified in a room of strangers, said things aloud I’d never thought I’d share, and won. I won my case. But I know that’s not everyone’s story.
Lil’ Red isn’t my memoir. Lil’ Red is for everyone, but especially those who are not seen, or heard, or believed. If we look at major headlines in the media (Diddy, Quiet On Set, the children on TikTok), there is still so much work to be done. Healing takes energy, time and consideration. It is work. Through my art I am willing to do that work with, and for, my community.
Latanya Boone (She/ They) - is an actor, singer, dancer and writer. With her art she hopes to inspire, encourage, and challenge minds. Advocating for change within her community, and also at large, is what feeds her work's purpose. Latanya has studied performing arts at Hamline University and University of Minnesota. She was awarded fellowship by Ordway Theater in the inaugural year of GreenRoom 2022. As an actor, she’s worked with Guthrie Theater, Lyric Arts, Wanderlust Production, and Park Square.
With this show my hope is to encourage conversations that push the needle away from victim blaming culture and towards humanizing and desexualizing victims of SA. Did you know #MeToo was invented by a black women for black women? Have you seen the protester videos from the R. Kellys trials? Did you know 40-60% of Black women report being subjected to coercive sexual contact by age 18?
At the least I want people who’ve been victimized to know they are not alone. At most I want to empower survivors and communities to speak out and hold their wolf’s accountable. This is about more than art. I hope to provide resources, empower people with knowledge and tools to work towards their own healing journey. In the future, I’d love to partner with aligning organizations to help me achieve this. Despite the deep topics, I still want to have fun and celebrate my blackness in this project! From the design, to the language, to the music. I’m especially excited to play with the sound scape and esthetic style of Lil’ Red. I‘m talking Funk, Rock, Jazz, and Hip Hop. You catching the vibes?
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Writing: to afford time to write, create, find collaborators and doing project management - $3,000
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Composer: A major hurdle I have is creating music. I have limited music education and plan to partner with a composer. I want to be able to pay every artist I collaborate with - $3,000
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Workshop: As a member of the Play Writer Center, I will reserve space and get help with casting - $450
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Dramaturge: Between workshops, and general development a dramaturg will help me with feedback to improve quality and authenticity of story telling - $500
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Actors: the workshop will require actors and I want to pay them - $800
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Taxes and fees: Because Indiegogo and Uncle Sam want their check - $1650
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Misc: equipment payments, class, unexpected costs, ect. - $600
Risks & Challenges
I’m not gonna lie to you, the idea of launching this project in itself is a major risk. The issues black protection and rape culture are simply controversial. By announcing this project, and my personal connection to it, alone opens a door for me to receive judgment and ridicule. It’s terrifying to put this out there in such a bold way. However I still I truly want to honor my culture while being authentic to myself. This project is the most ambitious thing I’ve ever done yet.
Let’s be so for real $10,000 is FAT chunk of chang. As a solo artist with no current support of an organization, nepotism, a company, mentor or a grant - I’m just going for it. I won’t let a lack of funds hold me back from creating work I believe in. One thing about me? Ima get it done. My determination and persistence has got me this far, but I can not continue this alone. That’s the beautiful thing about theater, it requires community.
With your support together we can accomplish beautiful things. Yes YOU! I want to amplify voices, empower people to grow as individuals, and in community. I want to add black art into the contemporary Musical Theater canon. Overall, I myself, am taking control of my narrative, and telling my story how I want to. Let’s create a community. This SA Awareness Month, if you want to directly support a survivor, and see art that challenges, empowers, and uplifts voices be my accomplice. Let’s shake some sh*t up!
Can’t Donate, but Still Want To Support?
I get it. In this economy?! I get it. Here’s some ways you can help out:
- Share this link! Hype me up y’all. The more eye’s on this, the greater chance I have a meeting my goal.
- Check out my social media. Like my posts, engage with them, repost. Again, help me get the word out.
- Follow LilRed_TheMusical on instagram to stay updated on news!
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