Third District Chicago police officers Edward Rollins and Kevyn Lott work together as partners. Now, add Officer Bryan Roberts from the Roseland District and you have a trio whose shared spirit of camaraderie has transitioned into their personal lives. The positive energy generated from that bond has produced the powerful stage play “The Power of Passion,” which will be performed Nov. 14, 2010, at Illinois Institute of Technology’s McCormick Theatre.
“The Power of Passion” puts the audience in the driver’s seat as they examine the social ills that inner-city youth have to deal with in their day-to-day lives from poor parenting situations to dysfunctional families to negative social interactions which get played out on stage. Pinky is a single parent struggling to raise her teenage son and daughter in an area of violence and despair. This could be any city in America. Welcome to “The Power of Passion.”
What was the impetus for writing this play?
Rollins: We wanted to give the community something they could aspire to; something that would motivate them; something that would allow them to see themselves in a negative light or negative view, but also correct their negative habits.
What is the most surprising element about the play?
Lott: The most surprising element about the play is its realism. It is written from the eyes of a police officer. It is factual. It is raw, [and] it is real.
Why did you guys feel this play was a necessity?
Lott: All of us are police officers, so I think I can speak for everyone, that we got on the job for the same reason — to help people. It doesn’t take a long time to see what is going on and try to make a change.
What is the primary message the audience will take away?
Rollins: For parents to become more positive role models, denouncing the old mantra, “do as I say, not as I do”.
What brought the three of you together?
Roberts: Being on the forefront [of] the different experiences … people go through — whereas you are the first face they see, and the last face they see. So my whole purpose is I want change. I want change within myself and I take the change within me and try to influence people around me. –tony binns
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