"Last Words" by Ken Carnes
NACA SHOWCASING ARTIST - NORTHEAST 2005
An original play based on the final thoughts emanating from the hearts and minds of America's executed, this Kenny Carnes’ original incorporates an anthology of words, stories and emotions designed to humanize and sensitize us to the cycle of violence. Last Words is a fictional story culminating from hundreds of actual inmates, victims, families, guards, wardens and politicians synthesized into a performance art piece that is punctuated by a diverse collection of real last word testimony from various death row inmates. LAST WORDS captivates, enlightens and shocks while revealing the human faces in America’s most unlikely places. Audience members become jury, challenged to question ethics, justice and deterrence as the main character, Inmate 770490, fragments into the many voices echoing from the chamber as he makes his final appeal.
Post-Show Discussion: Kenny Carnes’ solo-play often raises insightful discussions about breaking the cycle of violence and “Last Words” is often viewed as an affirmation of life rather than condemnation of death. Interactive discussions help communities foster an arts-based dialogue in a free forum of expression to unite communities in their common purpose to support the ideals of tolerance, non-violence, peace and justice. Kenny Carnes’ post-show Q&A’s often act as a gateway to dramatic healing and personal understanding for the participants. Topics inspired by Last Words have moved discussion beyond capital punishment to include broader discourses such as: confronting hatred, retribution, the dark side of human psychology, abuse, mortality and even existential meaning-making derived from Carnes’ ability to deconstruct through story telling. As always, Carnes leaves us asking, How do we respond to violence in today’s world?
Other Programs:
"Pieces of War"
Every soldier who tells a war story tells a lie. The soldier who says absolutely nothing tells the absolute Truth.
Written largely in rhapsodic verse, "Pieces of War" is a one-man show delivering a rapid-fire cadence of rhyme and rhythm to weave a portfolio of stories from three generations of American heroes. As a son returns home from Iraq his grandfather recalls his victories at Normandy while a father becomes lost in his voiceless shame trying to forget Vietnam. Inspired by true stories this oral narrative collected from interviews, observations and personal experience since September 11, 2001 seeks resolution through conflict, captures understanding through contemplation and unites audiences in common dialogue surrounding the universal journey of the hero in us all. March beside an “army of one” to honor the fallen, heal the wounded, confront the violence and explore human rights, war ethics, justice, liberty and peace in a global community.
Post Show Discussion
“Pieces of War” often raises insightful discussions eliciting powerful explorations of complex issues. Interactive discussions help communities foster arts-based dialogues in a free forum of expression to unite communities in their common purpose to support the ideals of democracy. Kenny Carnes’ Q&A’s often act as a gateway to community recognition, dramatic healing and personal understanding for the participants.
Workshop: Conflict Resolution
Performances of Last Words generate discussions about the cycle of violence and how to effectively manage conflicts in social situations. This workshop examines conflict in your culture allowing participants to realize destructive behavior patterns and transcend existing organic tensions into positive teams that effectively collaborate and change the way we view and handle daily interaction.
Workshop: Rants, Riots & Rhyme
Through spoken word and monologues, Rants, Riots & Rhyme delivers a storytelling experience the cloudy violence affecting our lives. In a series of fictional narratives this monodrama fights its way toward a deeper understanding of non-violence. A fanatical preacher justifies a local CEO’s exploitation of the environment. An inner city gang leader loses his life while preparing to riot against his rival neighbors. An Israeli teen contemplates avenging his father’s death by joining forces against the Palestinian Army. A multitude of “others” reveal themselves on stage in this part-scripted/part-free style rhyme. This multi-character one-man show mounts a living, breathing scrapbook of personal story, provocative poetry, and interactivity integrated with statistical data on domestic abuse. Rants, Riots & Rhyme unites our purpose and awakens us to the ignorance of shadowy violence. Kenny Carnes customizes a 30 or 45 minute show tailored around your event.
Workshop: Theater For Change
This three hour workshop moves participants beyond cognitive knowledge into the territory of emotive knowledge. Using experiential approaches, group dynamics, role play, improvisation, and theater games, the workshop improves personal insight, growth, and integration on cognitive, affective, and behavioral levels. It identifies obstacles, clarifies issues, increases wellness, enhances learning, and develops new skills. Its process helps empower leaders, build cohesive teams, and discover group innovations. Youth programs benefit from its leadership model which fosters creativity, diversity, social awareness, and responsibility. Through social outreach, underserved communities can transcend oppressions, gain empowerment, and heal abusive pasts.
Workshop: Wellness Workshop for Veterans
War veterans often experience a silent and solemn readjustment process upon their return home from the warfront. This workshop provides a unique opportunity to reestablish oneself back into the fabric of family, work, and community. Two-hour, three-hour or full day retreats provide veterans, soldiers, and family members an alternative to the traditional combat decompression process. Designed by veterans, for veterans, this effective training and experiential retreat facilitates an improved ability to manage life, career, and family roles. The workshop aims to strengthen coping skills, enrich wellness, and build hope during the soldier’s post-war recovery process.
“…EMINEM meets Eric Bogosian.” (The Providence Journal-Bulletin)
“…language that pierces us like darts.” (The Phoenix)
“…this work makes us aware of our social responsibility.” (The Crimson White)
“Carnes’ provocative playwriting has an enormous capacity to heal and transform us.” (Brown University)
About Kenny Carnes
As an accomplished actor, storyteller, and performance poet, Kenny Carnes stages an array of original performances to create thought provoking art-based dialogues built upon topical events. Described as a “Master of the Monologue,” his original stage works act as sharp instruments to examine the human condition as he shape-shifts through a portfolio of archetypal characters. Carnes has been called, “…a powerful messenger” by NY-Theater.com and has been praised for his spoken word poetry designed to unite our diversities, bridge our polarities, and awaken our hearts.
Appearing on notable stages such as the Woodstock Historic Theatre, The Carnival Center for the Arts, The Admiral Theatre, and St. Michael’s Playhouse, his performances touch thousands each year. “His provocative playwriting has an enormous capacity to heal and transform us,” says Brown University, and The Providence Journal-Bulletin has deemed him “the EMINEM of Theater.” Since training at the American Conservatory Theater (1999), his theater-for-thought creations have gone on to educate, enlighten, and heighten critical awareness issues at universities, theater companies, performing arts centers, and other organizations. Kenny has received praise for his radio show “Voices of Freedom” on WPRO News Talk 630, has appeared on National Public Radio, and has worked as creative talent for Twentieth Century Fox, NBC-Television, Citadel Communications, Clear Channel, and PBS Television. His leadership experience includes nearly ten years as an army officer, corporate consultant, and small business owner.
Holding a Master of Arts in Holistic Counseling (Salve Regina University, 2003) with a thesis concentration on Psychodrama/Drama Therapy, Kenny Carnes continues to inspire and facilitate positive behavior change through his performance art, residency programs, and creativity workshops.
"Pieces of War"