“A street-smart masterpiece” Backstage (Critic’s Pick)

“Rapid-fire, dangerous, powerful, and unpredictable.” LA Weekly (GO!)

“One of the cleverest pieces of writing and performance you will have the pleasure of seeing in a long time.” LA Splash

“Steve Connell and Sekou Andrews give us a modern urban update of the poet’s quest for authentic speech.” LA Times

Hip-Hop Theater Festival and Prana Theatre Group in partnership with Rogue Machine present

The Word Begins

Written and Performed by Sekou Andrews and Steve Connell

Developed and Directed by Robert Egan

The Word Begins follows the hilarious and provocative journey of two men discovering the power of words to define love, faith, race and humanity in America. Mashing up theater, spoken word, comedy and Hip-Hop, Steve Connell and Sekou Andrews deliver a high-energy performance in this fresh new satire that examines the current cultural landscape.

Read the LA Times review.

EXTENDED through August 7!

Thursday – Sunday at 8:00PM

Sound Design by Adam Phalen

Set design by Sara Ryung Clement, Omar Ramirez, Adam Flemming, Francisco Garcia, Robert Cortes and Fabian Debora

Projections by Corwin Evans

Costume Design by Sara Ryung Clement

“This cheerful two-man, spoken-word romp through territories expected (race relations) and unusual (dirty ideas for hallmark cards) stars an adorable odd couple: Steve Connell and Sekou [Andrews].” Time Out New York

The Word Begins is co-produced by Hip-Hop Theater Festival through special arrangement with Prana Theatre Group and was originally produced at The Signature Theatre, Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director, and was developed at the Ojai Playwrights Conference, Robert Egan, Artistic Director.