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Jordan Downs Description from Nancy Keystone website

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Jordan Downs Description from Nancy Keystone website

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written & directed by:
Nancy Keystone

May 16-26, 2019 at the Jordan Downs Recreation Center, Watts

Named one of 2019's Best Productions (KCRW).

About The Project

A commission by, and collaboration with, Cornerstone Theater Company and the community at Jordan Downs housing project in Watts-a spectacle of installations, community interactions, and performance, performed in multiple
locations around the site.

"A Jordan Downs Illumination" is a celebration and commemoration of the life of the community at Jordan Downs. As the complex undergoes a complete redevelopment, the performance is an invitation to acknowledge a moment of historic change. Built 75 years ago, Jordan Downs is practically an antique, and despite the demographic shift- from majority Black/African-American, to now majority Latinx/Hispanic- the community and built environment has been almost an island, relatively unchanged, amidst the dynamic landscape of the city that surrounds it. It is a deeply connected community with multiple generations of families and friends living together. The performance, created
in collaboration with community members and performers, is an interactive spectacle that takes place in and around the Jordan Downs Recreation Center. The audience travels through different stations which tell the stories of Jordan Downs, shining light on the past, and exploring the intricacies of the change that is underway. Some of the questions that guided the creation of the piece include: What do people want to remember? What is worth preserving? What is being lost? Do we resist change, or do we welcome it? How does the past inform the present, and how do people navigate the swells and currents of history? The 2-year creation process included story-circles,
personal walking tours, recipe sharing, interviews, bike rides, community meetings, art- making events, activist marches, theatre workshops.

Ashley Arana - Green Guide
Devonne Bowman - Hall of Decades Docent: 1940s, 1980s
Johnnie - Yellow Guide
Numa Juarez - Hall of Decades Docent: 1960s, 2010s
Fran de Leon - Mrs. Malkovich
Marcenus MC Earl - M.C.
Richard Gallegos - Hall of Decades Docent:1950s, 2000s
Marianet Tirado - Pink Guide
Bahni Turpin - Hall of Decades Docent: 1970s, 1990s

Production Team

creative producer: Bruce Lemon
stage manager: Sophia Sanchez
costume design: Lena Sands
scenic design: Nephelie Andonyadis
lighting design: Chris Wojcieszyn
composer/sound design: Jonathan Snipes
video design: Hana Sooyeon Kim
assoc. producer/production manager: Cameron Squire
asst. stage manager: Maria Oliveira
asst. costume designer: Blanca Gutierrez
asst. producer, dramaturgical & curatorial assistant: Lindsay Jenkins
production assistant: Lisa de Los Angeles
Cornerstone Theater Company Staff
artistic director: Michael John Garcés
managing director: Megan Wanlass
director of engagement: Paula Donnelly
social enterprise: Andy Horwitz

"... a deeply moving and sensitive experience of a place with a rich and complicated history. Whatever you know of public housing and Jordan Downs, specifically, this play will change how you feel about it... Don't miss this production. Don't miss this chance to experience community." -Anthony Byrnes, KCRW

"This kind of community-engaged theatre doesn't just feel like home to me. In this rapidly diversifying nation, it feels like the future." -Rob Weinert-Kendt, American Theatre Magazine

Los Angeles Times-Jordan Downs housing project's little-told history is embraced as immersive theater
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-jordan-downs-illumination-20190523-story.html

American Theatre-Big Ups for Jordan Downs: Cornerstone Memorializes a Watts Housing Project
https://www.americantheatre.org/2019/05/17/big-ups-for-jordan-downs-cornerstone-memorializes-a-watts-housing-project/

KCRW/Press Play with Madeleine Brand-Theater project explores Jordan Downs, public housing, and gentrification
https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand/ambitious-housing-bill-sb-50-gets-shelved-until-next-year/theater-project-explores-jordan-downs-public-housing-and-gentrification

KCRW-Theatre of Place: Jordan Downs
https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/opening-the-curtain/the-theatre-of-place-jordan-downs

photos:
Noe Montes, Hana Sooyeon Kim

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written & directed by: Nancy Keystone May 16-26, 2019 at the Jordan Downs Recreation Center, Watts Named one of 2019's Best Productions (KCRW). About The Project A commission by, and collaboration with, Cornerstone Theater Company and the community at Jordan Downs housing project in Watts-a spectacle of installations, community interactions, and performance, performed in multiple locations around the site.

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Jordan Downs: History Blog by Lindsay A. Jenkins

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Jordan Downs: History Blog by Lindsay A. Jenkins

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Jordan Downs Transformation by the Decade-1950's

Be the change you wish to see in the world. -Gandhi

As we prepare to open A Jordan Downs Illumination on May 18 th, we're highlighting some of the important moments of change in the area.

Originally designed to house war workers in the 40's, the plan was for Jordan Downs to represent the best of America: a melting pot where neighbors take care of each other. The Housing Authority planned dozens of communities, just like Jordan Downs.

The City Housing Authority in 1948 reflecting on their 10 year anniversary.

When the war ended, however, Many White community members moved on to other neighborhoods. A federal agency called the Home Owners Loan Corporation, graded neighborhoods based on income and number of minorities living in the area. Areas that were "red" were refused mortgages. This practice, called " redlining ", and other discriminatory practices were common and limited the areas where Black, Latinx and Asian citizens could live.

Redline map of Los Angeles 1939

Many Angelenos were questioning: What will happen to the war worker housing communities, several of which were not even completed?

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) decided to turn the war worker housing into low-cost public housing. HACLA employee Frank Wilkinson spearheaded the effort in a passionate attempt to fully integrate public housing and make it accessible to all. Unfortunately, during this time, anyone who wanted anything "for all" was considered... suspicious.

Anti-communist propaganda from the 1950's

Accused of communist activities, Frank Wilkinson and several other HACLA employees were brought in front of the California State Un American Activities Committee in 1952. The HACLA employees interrogated included the manager of Jordan Downs, Adina Williamson.

Frank Wilkinson testifies.

Ms. Williamson held her own, cooperating when she could, but refusing to feed into the Witch Hunt or violate her own rights.

Excerpt from Adina Williamson's testimony

She was fired along with several other housing employees. Frank Wilkinson would go on to fight for the abolishment of the House Un American Activities Committee. Later, he would sue the FBI for access to all 132,000 pages of his file.

Fred Wilkinson with some of his files.

Jordan Downs was practically forgotten about. At this point, the housing project was mostly occupied by Black citizens and housing was no longer viewed as favorable by the voting public.

Jordan Downs in the 1950's

This left the residents of Jordan Downs feeling isolated, left-out and discriminated against. The simmering tension would soon reach a boiling point as the Red Scare died down and the Civil Rights movement reached its peak.

Community meeting at Jordan Downs in the 1950s.

Adina Williamson could not have predicted the role she would play in history. She stood up for what was right at great personal cost. This goes to show that you don't have to be a celebrity or politician to make an impact. As Gandhi famously said, "we should all aspire to be the change we wish to see in the world". Share with us how you try to be the change. Have you ever made a small action that had big impact?

This blog series was created by Lindsay "LJ" Jenkins, A Jordan Downs Illumination Producing Associate. The material within these blogs was collected during the creation of A Jordan Downs Illumination premiering May 17-26, 2019 at the Jordan Downs Recreation Center in Watts. CLICK HERE to find out more and purchase tickets.

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Be the change you wish to see in the world. -Gandhi As we prepare to open A Jordan Downs Illumination on May 18 th, we're highlighting some of the important moments of change in the area.

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Community engagement events leading up to the main event

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Community engagement events leading up to the main event

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Included local youth orchestra, art workshops and more

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Patrons attempt to win a losing game.

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Guiding patrons through the Re-housing Game

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Guiding patrons through the Re-housing Game

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Click the video to hear the interviews!

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Audience engagement outside of the Ghost Unit

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Audience engagement outside of the Ghost Unit

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Each "archival booth" contained photos, articles and other artifacts specific a time period in Jordan Downs and Watts. On performance days, actors performed monologues based on first hand experiences of real people in the time period.

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Each "archival booth" contained photos, articles and other artifacts specific a time period in Jordan Downs and Watts. On performance days, actors performed monologues based on first hand experiences of real people in the time period.

# data[].attributes.body
Each "archival booth" contained photos, articles and other artifacts specific a time period in Jordan Downs and Watts. On performance days, actors performed monologues based on first hand experiences of real people in the time period.

# data[].attributes.body
Each "archival booth" contained photos, articles and other artifacts specific a time period in Jordan Downs and Watts. On performance days, actors performed monologues based on first hand experiences of real people in the time period.