"We're going to shw you what is happening right here, in your face.'
Arturo Fernandez, The Collective |
Acting wasn't in the cards for Arturo Fernandez, Bechir Sylvain, Jose A. Paredes or Sheaun McKinney.
Fernandez and Sylvain were suppoesed to be lawyers, Paredes and accountant and Mckinney a chef.
But artists will be artists. Today, the four friends, who met at Miami Dade College more than five years ago, are looking to bring throught-provoking theater to sprawling West Kendall.
They call themselves "The Collective."
“We decided to put all of our eggs in one basket to make this happen," said Fernandez, a 25-year-old actor and playwright. "we're trying to make some sort of an impact. the only art you find in this town is in the Design District or on the Beach."
On July 29th, the company's inaugural season will begin with the showcase of Jesus Hopped the A Train, a story about prisoners and redemption, written by Stephen Adly Guirgis.
"It's not a religious play. It's not a musical and it's definitely not for children," Fernandez said. "it's story about getting a second chance."
The curtain will rise at the makeshift black-box theater tucked away on a dead-end street at 13105 SW 122nd Ave. The warehouse is owned by South Bay Productions.
"It is hidden. We embrace that," Fernandez said. "It's extremely Soho."
On a recent afternoon, between rehearsals and stage production, the founding members introduced themselves:
- Syvlain, 23, is of Haitian descent but born in Boston. He has mastered the art of beat-boxing, a musical talent that landed him on season two of "American Idol."
- McKinney is bit more modest. But his friends don't let his success go unnoticed. Last year, he was the recipient of the Carbonell Award, given to locals for theater excellence.
- Last, but not least, is Paredes, 24, a student at Florida International University. Clad in a black shirt and matching beret, he talks about the future with optimism and confidence.
"I always tell people that when I step on stage with any of these guys, I know it's going to be amazing," Paredes said. "We have really good chemistry together."
Through theater, the artsy 20-somethings aim at reaching out to the 18-to-35 demographic group, which they said can be apathetic to such topics as politics and world events.
"We all serve a role
with everything that is wrong with society,"
Fernandez said. "We're not going to show
you what's happening in Africa. yes it's a
travestly. But we're going to show you what
is happening right here, in your face."
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