Towards Belonging
Watch Party
Saturday, May 1 at 11:00 am PDT
Join us for the launch of the Playhouse’s latest world-premiere Digital Without Walls (WOW) piece, Towards Belonging. Hosted by former Playhouse Leadership Council chair Bennett Peji and his daughter Viviana, this special virtual event will feature a Q&A with Towards Belonging creators choreographer Anjanette Maraya-Ramey and videographer Eboni “Eb” Harvey.
We are especially excited to launch the piece – featuring a team of all BIPOC artists – on the first day of AAPI Month. Tune in for a lively discussion of the film’s themes, such as intersectionality of identity, being “othered,” self-affirmation and dismantling stereotypes, especially around the film’s setting in Southeastern San Diego. The event will also touch on the filmmaking process and how the artists’ powerful personal stories influenced the movement and music.
Don’t miss the debut of this stunning new dance film!
Towards Belonging is a powerful dance film with original spoken-word poetry and music. Choreographer Anjanette Maraya-Ramey and her company Maraya Performing Arts create a deeply moving piece that unapologetically acknowledges systemic racism, with an urgent call to act and create change. Filmed at the the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation’s Arts Park @ Chollas Creek, this love letter to Southeastern San Diego shares the joys and challenges of the neighborhood through evocative narrative, graffiti art and movement, while shattering biases and celebrating the deep pride, culture and history of the region.
Towards Belonging is Made Possible in Part by Generous Support from Robin and Larry Rusinko.
Produced in association with the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation’s Arts Park @ Chollas Creek.
Created by: Anjanette Maraya-Ramey/Maraya Performing Arts
Director & Choreographer: Anjanette Maraya-Ramey
Director of Photography: Eboni Harvey, a.k.a. EB OF COURSE
Wardrobe styling: Jesie Bolger-Harris and Anjanette Maraya-Ramey
Music Composition: Adrian Cantero (Part 1) and Kristopher Apple (Part 2)
Sound Design/Editing: David’s Harp Foundation
Spoken Word Artist: Gill Sotu
Dancer/Collaborators: Romi Herrada, Alyssa Junious, Jasmine Rafael, Ala Tiatia-Garaud, Hannah Pritchett, Natasha Ridley
Company Photography/Documentation: Beto Soto
»Anjanette Maraya-Ramey, Creator/Director/Choreographer
»Eboni Harvey, Director of Photography
Bennett Peji
Former Chair of the Playhouse Leadership Council, Bennett Peji is currently Chairman of California Humanities and Chief Innovation Officer of ODM/Tzilla. His past positions include serving as Vice President of the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, President of the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce, and a Commissioner of Arts & Culture for the City of San Diego.
Viviana Peji
Viviana Peji serves on the La Jolla Playhouse Teen Council. She is a dancer, singer and actor who has performed in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas at The Globe for three years and Evita at the San Diego Repertory Theater. She is a student at the Coronado School of the Arts.
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