Artists

Diane Luby Lane, producer & creative director

Gina Belafonte, director

Derrick Hodge, musical director

Brandon XIV, media director

Monique Mitchell, story editor & artist

T H R O N E, artist

Luis J. Rodríguez, artist

Jasmine Minchez, artist

Dante Basco, artist

Jason Chu, artist

Lev Allan Blitz, artist

Sekou Andrews, artist

Samantha Rios, artist

Ariana Lee, artist

Liv Rion, artist

Get Lit Youth Poets, artists

Ensemble from The Color of Noize Orchestra

Kara Mack, choreographer

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About this Performance
If I Awaken in Los Angeles is a multimedia production blending spoken word, music, dance, and video to tell the story of our diverse and beloved city. Spanning the history of LA’s Indigenous stewards into modern-day metropolitan living, the production simulates a journey through several neighborhoods, including South Central, The Canyons, Boyle Heights, Chinatown, Koreatown, and more, leaving audiences ultimately transformed by the spirit of the communities they’ve encountered.  Award-winning producer and actress Gina Belafonte directs If I Awaken in Los Angeles, showcasing her vision of hope and civic engagement through art.

Derrick Hodge—the musical director of choice for some of the biggest names in R&B, pop, hip-hop, and jazz—also brings the Color of Noize Orchestra to The Ford for this eye-opening and entertaining night that offers additional space for reflection and community following LA’s devastating January wildfires. Special guests include Indigenous hip-hop duo T H R O N E, Da Poetry Lounge co-founder and actor Dante Basco (Hook, Avatar: The Last Airbender), Quincy Jones’ self-proclaimed “secret weapon” Sekou Andrews, rapper and activist Jason Chu, and more.

Founded by Diane Luby Lane, Get Lit – Words Ignite inspires student engagement, literacy, and young voices around the globe using the power of Spoken Word, technology, and community.

Get Lit’s award-winning performance troupe of youth poets have performed at the United Nations, Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, and White House — to name a few! Five of the seven Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureates have been Get Lit Poets. They have over 300 million views on social media, and their film SUMMERTIME opened the Sundance Film Festival in 2020.