Twice a year RISCA awards grants in a number of categories. Over the next few months, we will be profiling the amazing artists and organizations that received grants at our April 1, 2017 deadline, two at a time.
Project Grants for Individuals
Artist: Brandon Perras-Sanchez
Project: Death Drop Gorgeous is a LGBTQ, drag queen horror film set in the city of Providence, Rhode Island. The screenplay was written by me and two other Providence artists: Mike Joseph Ahern and Chris Dalpe. The story incorporates dark humor, crime mystery, and supernatural elements to create a unique story that showcases the vibrant, gay nightlife of the city.
The film follows protagonist Dwayne, who is trying to assimilate back into the dating scene as he struggles with internalized racism within his community. After being rehired as a bartender at the local drag club of the city, men who were last seen at the venue begin to go missing. While an investigation gets underway, a rivalry between two drag queens heats up. More men begin to go missing, and everyone who frequents the club are not only suspects, but possible next victims. 
With a now completed screenplay, our intention for Death Drop Gorgeous is go into production. Now with a finished shooting schedule, our next step is to cast a diverse group of local actors and drag queens to star in the film. We also hope to provided a vivid look into the art and creativity of the small state of Rhode Island, including but not limited to local music and fine arts. With an iHorror Award nomination for best screenplay, we are very dedicated to completing this film, and submitting to other film festivals to showcase nationally what the Ocean State has to offer.
Artist Bio: Perras-Sanchez has a degree in digital recording and multimedia from Champlain College and New England Tech. Brandon did work in sound engineering, makeup, special effects, and acting during that time. He has been apart of the cast and production for independent films such as “Spine of the Night,” and “The Diddler.” Brandon worked on several documentaries regarding Vermont’s history. In addition, he has history with several performance venues in Providence; including having promoted shows and booked musicians for AS220, Aurora, and Dusk. Perras-Sanchez has edited and made multimedia for local artists in Providence as well.
Project Grants in Education
Lead Teacher: Susan Prouty
Participating Artists: Keith Munslow
Project: Keith Munslow leads the lower school assembly in Monday Morning Sing Alongs. Every few weeks, Keith Munslow brings to us his voice, humor and stylized skills of storytelling and song. He creates personalized songs to engage our community, passes on traditional/cultural songs to the new students and challenges the upper grades to story creating and telling. This academic year, we initiated the Growing Grades program with Keith Munslow. Keith worked with Kindergarten and First Grade. In Kindergarten: he deepened their knowledge of school created songs, traditional/culturally diverse songs and created and retold songs and stories. In First Grade, he worked with listening and /retelling stories and creating folktales.
For the next academic year, we will have 60 children in each grade and we wish to expand this program by “growing a grade” and adding second and third grade to the program. In Second Grade: Keith will work on retelling stories with a focus on the main ideas and supporting details. In Third Grade he will focus on the structure of a story and how to retell a story keeping the audience engaged.
About the School: Paul Cuffee School, a K-12 public charter school, educates a diverse community of students from Providence. We teach students to value and practice personal initiative, perseverance, and social responsibility. Our School accomplishes these goals through a rigorous academic program which, enriched with maritime experiences, fosters discovery and critical thinking. We prepare students for higher education, lifelong learning, and active citizenship.