Syracuse in focus (SIF)

Alena Cerro (left) and Kamani Grate act out a semi-dream sequence scene in “Steady” (a play conceived by Ryan Hope Travis and inspired by the March from Selma to Montgomery). The show was held Saturday at Art Rage Gallery on Hawley Avenue.

As a director, Ryan Travis is prolific. He has conceived and directed numerous productions since we interviewed him a few years ago.

Ryan’s pace is frenetic, but the quality of the work never suffers.  The actor/director/professor knows how to explore and present timely topics with the right dusting of theatrical polish. His latest offering is “Steady,” an hour-long, song-dialogue-dance-dramatization of the past, present and future of Civil Rights, with a particular emphasis on the 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery.

There were two shows for “Steady” over the weekend at The Art Rage Gallery.  What made the Art Rage production unique was the poignant visual reminder of the Selma adorning the walls, thanks to the compelling documentary photographs of Matt Herron.  Having photos of Dr. King, John Lewis, Doris Wilson, and others as part of the set design provided inspiration for the audience as well as the actors.

“Steady”  has its next showing at Onondaga Community College on Monday.

Herron’s images will be on display at Art Rage until the end of March.

Ryan Hope Travis (left) and the multi-talented cast of “Steady” at The Art Rage Gallery.