ROD PATRICK RISBROOK (aka “BIG ROD”) is a CADD [Computer-Aided Drafting and Design] professional who designs/drafts engineering drawings as a consultant & spends the rest of his other time as a socio-political activist for the Black [same gender loving] community. As part of his socio-political agenda, ROD lent his humanitarian energies for 3+ years to the Black Men’s Xchange-New York [BMX-NY] which is a cultural affirmation and leadership empowerment collective for same gender loving men of African descent. Creatively, ROD captures still moments in time as a photographer, doing graphic design work, and is a producer at Brooklyn Cable Access Television [BCAT]. ROD is currently transitioning from CADD to filmmaker by pursuing a path as a cinematographer/filmmaker @ NYU in order to bring to life what he calls “our stories” that need to be told. E-mail: big.rod02@gmail.com 
To this end, the playwright are commissioned to write a new play that centers a Black LGBT character in a story that tackles provocative themes around - for example - war, police brutality and state violence, women's rights, religious tolerance, capitalism, disease, the prison industrial complex, democracy, freedom, hip hop and culture, family, and love etc.
In its second year, Freedom Train focuses on the early development of new theatre work. They do not currently stage full productions, but instead commission and promote new work to producing theatre companies and the public at Fire! New Play Festival every summer. Their goals are to increase the number of new political plays with Black LGBT characters that are produced in New York City as well as change the public perception around what kinds of characters can carry political stories that universally affect everyone.
For more information, please download the updated announcement at their website.... here
To this end, the playwright are commissioned to write a new play that centers a Black LGBT character in a story that tackles provocative themes around - for example - war, police brutality and state violence, women's rights, religious tolerance, capitalism, disease, the prison industrial complex, democracy, freedom, hip hop and culture, family, and love etc.
In its second year, Freedom Train focuses on the early development of new theatre work. They do not currently stage full productions, but instead commission and promote new work to producing theatre companies and the public at Fire! New Play Festival every summer. Their goals are to increase the number of new political plays with Black LGBT characters that are produced in New York City as well as change the public perception around what kinds of characters can carry political stories that universally affect everyone.
For more information, please download the updated announcement at their website.... here