Unframed: A Man in Progress

Press release from the Nyack Library:

On Saturday, June 25 at 2 p.m., The Nyack Library will present “unFRAMED: A Man in Progress”, the poetic life story of Iyaba Ibo Mandingo. As to “unFRAMED”, Nancy Peckenham of the Newburgh Circle wrote Iyaba’s “life story takes over the stage in a one-man performance” which melds “theater, art and poetry”.   

Written and performed by Iyaba Ibo Mandingo , “unFRAMED”, tells his personal story - the story of an immigrant boy's journey to manhood through the perils of adolescence, the pitfalls of racism and the struggles of finding identity in a new country.  “unFRAMED”, which is Mandingo’s first full-length play, introduces us to Iyaba - the painter, poet, husband, father, son and undocumented immigrant from Antigua who, in 1980 at the age of eleven, is plucked from the comfort of his boyhood home and taken to America where he must navigate his way to manhood without the guidance of a father.  Using canvas, paint, poetry, prose and song, Iyaba tells us of his transformation from “Mommy Me No Wanna Go Merrica”, a piece that hints at the many trials he will face in a new land, to his powerful political poetry that led to his arrest and attempted deportation in post 9/11 America.  Throughout the play he shares his rage, determination and hope while he paints his self portrait (a different one for each performance) and successfully struggles to redefine his humanity, rediscover his smile and truly accept himself for the first time.

Mandingo’s earliest exposures to the arts were through his mother, a professional singer, and his grandparents, a tailor and a seamstress who first introduced him to colors and patterns. He studied fine arts at Southern Connecticut State University and is now a Master Teaching Artist, in and around the tri-state area.  He is a member of the Harlem Arts Alliance, was awarded a national Percent for the Arts Program artist grant, appears regularly as a performance poet in venues across the United States and abroad, as well as having authored two chapbooks of poetry “41 Times” and “Amerikkan Exile”.  His new novel, “Sins of My Fathers”, will be released this year. 

“unFRAMED” is directed by Brent Buell, produced by Jane Dubin, and presented by Double Play Connections.  For ten years, Buell volunteered with the non-profit organization Rehabilitation Through the Arts, directing theater in New York’s maximum-security prisons and his productions earned praise from critics, including from “The New York Times” while Dubin, a Tony Award winner, is president of Double Play Connections, a theatrical production and management company committed to supporting emerging artists and playwrights in the creation and development of new works.  More information about “unFRAMED”, can found at http://www.unframedtheplay.com.

Admission is free but registration is essential, as seats are limited.  Please register via the library events calendar on the Nyack Library website, www.nyacklibrary.org or by calling the Library at 845-358-3370 ext. 14 or e-mailing reference@nyacklibrary.org. The library is located at 59, South Broadway in Nyack.