{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2Fed4bdd59-ec62-4c4f-9841-dccb38a4d47d","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"The Gifts We Leave: Declaration of Love Episode 1","description":"The Declaration of Love Project is an anthology of 11 short audio pieces written by North Carolina playwrights all inspired by the same writing prompt \u2014 \u201cdeclaration of love.\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEpisode 1, written by Michael Ivory, Jr. is titled The Gifts We Leave.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEvery time John visits with his grandmother, she insists upon teaching him of the gifts that his family has always known and used to guide them. John begins to wonder about his grandmother\u2019s intentions, and when he finally works up the nerve to question them, loving revelations are bestowed alongside his family\u2019s secret ways. A tender and affirming family drama.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDeclaration of Love is an Artist Soapbox production, co-produced by Aurelia Belfield and Tamara Kissane, and sound designed by David Hill.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Gifts We Leave was written by Michael Ivory, Jr.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDirected by Aurelia Belfield\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPerformed by: Yolanda Rabun (Grandma Violet) and Sai Graham (John).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nhttps://artistsoapbox.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Audio-Drama_-The-Gifts-We-Leave.pdf (Transcript of The Gifts We Leave)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you\u2019re eager for more audio fiction pieces by Artist Soapbox, be sure to listen to all 11 episodes of the Declaration of Love anthology and check out our full length audio dramas https://www.thenewcolossuspodcast.com/ (THE NEW COLOSSUS) and https://artistsoapbox.org/masterbuilder/ (MASTER BUILDER), available everywhere you get your podcasts.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMichael IvoryYolanda RabunSai GrahamL-R: Michael Ivory Jr (photo by Corey Pilson), Yolanda Rabun (photo by Yodyful Music) , Sai Graham\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBIOS:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMichael Ivory, Jr. (Playwright, The Gifts We Leave): Michael is a native of Miami, FL. His writing often revolves around the \u201ceveryday magic\u201d that defines Black people\u2019s creativity and ingenuity. It is for this reason that he likes to write of powers, dreams, and the secret ways Black folks love their way through hardship. Michael is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at North Carolina State University, focusing on fiction. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSai Graham (Actor, The Gifts We Leave): Sai is a Raleigh native. He has been seen in shows at theaters such as North Carolina Theater (In The Heights, Mamma Mia!, West Side Story), Theatre Raleigh (The Scottsboro Boys, Bud Not Buddy), and more. Sai has many shows/projects coming next year! Sai plays John in The Gifts We Leave.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nYolanda Rabun (Actor, The Gifts We Leave): Yolanda is an award-winning professional equity actor skilled with an exceptional natural talent for storytelling. She has accolades of Best Lead Actress (Archy and Mehitabel, Member of the Wedding, and No Fear and Blues Long Gone: Nina Simone) and Best Ensemble (Twelfth Night, Crowns, I Love You, You\u2019re Perfect, Now Change, and Chaunesti Webb\u2019s I Love My Hair) to her credit. She is also credited as a \u201cRenaissance Woman\u201d given her accolades as wife, mother, Corporate Executive, Senior In-House IBM lawyer, BMI and ASCAP, singer-songwriter and publisher, motivational speaker, political scientist, community youth activist, touring and recording artist, and music entrepreneur. Yolanda lives at the speed of passion and challenges everyone to hold on to your dreams! http://www.yolandarabun.com (http://www.yolandarabun.com) Social Media: @yolandarabun Yoland plays Grandma Violet in The Gifts We Leave.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCONNECT AND FOLLOW!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nArtist Soapbox on social media:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTwitter: <a href="https://twitter.","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/8fa60e5f-6ebb-4866-8ea7-6c1d76ae7a63/1-1-150x150.png"}