See Solo Showcase: The Bumpy Road Less Traveled on 5/10

Solo Showcase: The Bumpy Road Less Traveled by Anthony Michael Jefferson ("AJ") on 5/10

About the Show:

The Bumpy Road Less Traveled is a dramatic peek behind the industrial Pr*son walls through the eyes of the playwright, Anthony Michael Jefferson. He subtly asks the question, does one horrific moment define a life?

FIPPP is the inaugural company-in-residence at The Berkeley Rep, and providing a safe space for unique, “Returned Citizens,” to grow artistically, emotionally, and spiritually.

We invite the public to see behind the walls, into the hearts and minds of a “ Returned Citizens,” and possibly change your minds about how art is healing for us all.

See The Bumpy Road Less Traveled for one-night only at the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre on May 10.

Tickets are $20 pre-sale with Bumpy Road bracelets

Tickets are $25 pre-sale with a copy of The Bumpy Road: Poetry, Recipes and Short Stories book.

About AJ:

This powerful performance is drawn from AJ’s experiences over the 23 years he was incarcerated in Soledad State Pr*son (officially known as “Correctional Training Facility”)–and the road he traveled to and from that Pr*son cell. The Bumpy Road Less Traveled is a dramatic peek behind the industrial Pr*son walls through the eyes of the playwright, Anthony Michael Jefferson. He subtly asks the question, does one horrific moment define a life?

Anthony was born in Harrisburg, PA., and raised in Hermosa Beach, Southern California where his love of all things aquatic blossomed. Born to a family of accomplished dreamers, AJ dreamt of surfing professionally and competed on a high level. The Pacific Ocean taught him many lessons, patience, respect, and humility. It’s also where his passion for culinary arts began.

His parents divorced in his formative years causing him to choose which parent to live with. He chose the Pacific Ocean and his father over Hollywood and his mother.

The 80’s graduation, education from traveling, gainful employment domestic - abroad, and lessons hard learned . From February of19992 on Anthony Michael Jefferson spent 23 years behind the walls of the California Department of Corrections. In mid-December of, 2014 the Governor of Ca., approved the recommendation by the Board of Pr*son Hearings on Mr. Jefferson’s Parole. On March, 15, 2015 at 11:30 AM he walked through the doors of Soledad State Pr*son. The first song he listened to was from his hero Robert Nesta Marley, “ Redemption Songs.” His first request, could we please stop in Santa Barbara, and check out the waves at Rincon?

A week later he enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu, 18 months passed by, graduation with honors, his growth came from chefs to celebrity chefs who poured into his dedication, and passion to grow. Therapy came from theater never being exposed through the California Department of Correction and Rehabilitaion, ( CDCR). The Theater Workers Project was his first introduction to the healing process. He produced the title of the project from his poem, “Further Shores.” He then portrayed Ray DuVaul in the legislative regionally touring play, “ The Box.” Written by Shara Shourd. Performances in various Marin Shakespeare’s, Returned Citizens Theater Troup, and as a fellow with the Formerly Incarcerated Peoples Performance Project, AJ penned the Bumpy Road Less Traveled. He has performed the piece at the Santa Monica Binge Fringe Festival, UC Santa Cruz Institute of Arts, SF Marsh, Berkeley Tell It On Tuesday, Marin Juvenile Hall, and the Marin Shakespeare Theater.

About FIPPP:

This Solo Showcase series is produced by the Formerly Incarcerated People's Performance Project (FIPPP) to celebrate longer pieces of solo performance by their Fellows. FIPPP Fellows share stories about their life experiences and FIPPP is currently the Company-in-Residence at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. FIPPP believes that sharing the stories of those who have been formerly incarcerated will foster compassion and understanding about the circumstances that may lead to incarceration. For their audiences, the stories at FIPPP are meant to bring hope and shed light on the inhumane conditions prisoners often endure during and after incarceration. Find out more about FIPPP here.

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