With A Rebel Yell

by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj

WHERE HAVE ALL THE AMERICAN REBELLIOUS THEATER COMPANIES GONE? Where have all the great American theater rebels gone? James Baldwin, the great American rebel and writer once said, “And although it is difficult to imagine our nation totally free of racism or sexism, my intellect, my heart and my experience tell me that it is actually possible. For that day when neither exists we must all struggle.” His words and the philosophy, that theater now more than ever must reflect the truth of the world today has given inspiration to me and my fellow rebels to create a unique theater that is purposeful, political, and powerful. We call this dream that is now a reality Rebel Theater and we welcome you to be a part of the revolution.

From Left to right: Winston Batchelor, Managing Dir.;
Terry Cosentino, Assoc. Art. Dir.;Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, Art. Dir.;
Nicholas Francis Petrie, Company Mgr.

The world we live in has become so strange, the power of the human spirit and our freedoms are being tested everyday and yet what is the American theater doing to stand up and illuminate the truth? From where I stand not enough. Where have all the great American rebellious theater companies gone? Where have all the great American rebels gone?

Throughout my life I have always loved and appreciated the theater and the power of great storytelling, the theater has always been a place where I felt a great sense of pride and serenity. Theater is a magical place with men and women who were larger than life in their ability to create worlds, characters, and where dreams are fully realized in a shared experience.

I believe in the American theater. I believe in this country and many of the principles on which this country was built on. However I have been feeling a great sense of sadness about the current trends in our politics and opportunities given to my generation of theater artists. So instead of feeling sad and powerless I choose to do something about it by starting a theater company. I have achieved a lot in my career and one of the achievements that I am most proud of is Rebel Theater.

An important goal of Rebel Theater is to provide a safe space where artists can live their full potential. Rebel Theater will challenge artists of my generation to fully realize the value of their voice in the American theater today. I am so excited about having an artistic home in the heart of the theater district where I can challenge myself and others to discover a new vocabulary, landscape and possibility of what the American theater can be.

My heart is filled with joy and excitement about what the future holds for Rebel Theater and the positive impact that we will have on the American theater for generations to come. I have always believed everyone’s responsibility to do their very best to enrich the world with the talents God has given them, to leave the planet a better place from where you found it. Rebel Theater has helped given me artistic wings to fly and a better understanding of why I have come to the planet as an artist.

My prayer is that it will do the same for the next generation of rebellious American theater artists looking for direction and purpose for the gifts God has given them.

Rebel Theater is deeply committed to giving voice to marginalized people in our society. We are passionate about presenting and reflecting in our art the vast array of cultures and communities that embody the American experience.

Rebel Theater is stead fast in resisting the old traditions where theater is only for the privileged. We want to bring powerful political theater back to the people of New York City. Rebel Theater will present works that challenge and illuminate the power of the human spirit, reminding us all that we are more alike than different. It is our purpose in the creation of the company to force a new conversation, a new dialogue, a new change, a new community that will be fully realized through our art.

Where have all the great American rebellious theaters gone? Where have all the great American theater rebels gone? The answer is Rebel Theater!

I leave you with Mr. Baldwin who said, “We are responsible for the world in which we find ourselves, if only because we are there only sentient force which can change it”.

Rebel Theater — a true revolution of the American theater now and forever! Visit us at www.rebeltheater.org for a list of upcoming artistic events. •2005

Written exclusively for the “The Soul of the American Actor.”