Red for Revolution

Radiotopia

Radiotopia Presents: Red for Revolution is an audio drama centering intergenerational stories of Black women, queer love, and liberation. We meet Jazmine, an 18-year-old grappling with her queer identity, first crush, and the delicate task of mending her relationship with her homophobic mother. As Jazmine seeks solace and guidance from her grandmother, we are transported back to 1971, to follow the passionate love affair between jazz singer Lorraine Giovanni and activist Ella Ali. Two remarkable women from vastly different backgrounds, with opposing political views and living oceans apart, embark on a romance that defies all conventions.

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10 episodes
Avg 33 min
English

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April 13 · 39 min
Red for Revolution - Webby Nominations + Debbie Allen HerStory Panel
Red for Revolution is nominated for two WEBBY AWARDS — and we’re still riding high from our Ambie win. To celebrate, we’re sharing unreleased audio from our conversation with the incomparable Debbie Allen, in conversation with cast members Jordan Hull, Renée Wilson, Caro Guzmán, and creator, writer, director Jana Naomi Smith. Vote Red for Revolution for Best Scripted Fiction Podcast Vote for Red for Revolution Best Original Music Score and Sound Design In May 2025, Red for Revolution joined Play Hard by Winter Dunn and Sext by Kierstyn Stevens for “Writing HERstory,” a powerful gathering centered on reclaiming narrative, honoring lived experience, and reflecting on the challenges and triumphs that shape our work. The event was hosted by The Debbie Allen Dance Academy, The Rhimes Performing Arts Center, and The Brett Fonfa Foundation. We’re thrilled to bring this conversation back into the world. Enjoy! Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith with Musical Direction by Tammy L. Hall and Sound Design by Collin Gerald Thomas. Original Music by Tammy L. Hall and Jana Naomi Smith and performed by Renée Wilson, Loretta Devine, and Jordan Hull featuring the Red for Revolution band, Tammy L. Hall on piano, Kofy Brown on electric Bass, Ruth Davies on acoustic Bass, Ruthie Price on drums, Kristen Strom on saxophone and flute, and Vicki Randle on percussion. Cover art by Shefon N. Taylor. The series is executive produced by Renée Wilson, Jana Naomi Smith, and Meta Mana Media with associate producers Jordan Hull, Adrian Snegg, and Vanessa E. Williams. All episodes produced by Liz McBee. For Radiotopia Presents, Yooree Losordo is the Managing Producer. Audrey Mardavich is the Executive Producer. Red for Revolution is part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed that debuts limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. The Red for Revolution team would like to thank each person who helped bring this project to life. Please visit redforrevolution.com for the complete credit and gratitude list, additional resources, and to sign up for our newsletter. This audio drama was recorded under the SAG-AFTRA 2020 New Media Principal Performer Contract. This episode featured performances by Jordan Hull as Jazmine S. Epatha Merkerson as Ella Ali (present day) Rutina Wesley as Ella Ali (1970s) Renée Wilson as Lorraine Giovanni (1970s) Caro Guzmán as Adrienne and Kathy adrienne maree brown as Series Sonic Guide
February 5 · 46 min
Red for Revolution - Happy Anniversary!
To celebrate the anniversary of Red for Revolution’s Radiotopia debut, we’re dropping a special bonus episode. Join members of the cast and creative team as they revisit the story's earliest seeds, its unexpected turns, and the beautiful collaboration. You’ll also hear exclusive, unreleased audio scenes from the cutting‑room floor. Part reflection, part celebration, and part revelation, this episode invites listeners into the room where the revolution truly began. Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith with Musical Direction by Tammy L. Hall and Sound Design by Collin Gerald Thomas. Original Music by Tammy L. Hall and Jana Naomi Smith and performed by Renée Wilson, Loretta Devine, and Jordan Hull featuring the Red for Revolution band, Tammy L. Hall on piano, Kofy Brown on electric Bass, Ruth Davies on acoustic Bass, Ruthie Price on drums, Kristen Strom on saxophone and flute, and Vicki Randle on percussion. Cover art by Shefon N. Taylor. The series is executive produced by Renée Wilson, Jana Naomi Smith, and Meta Mana Media with associate producers Jordan Hull, Adrian Snegg, and Vanessa E. Williams. All episodes produced by Liz McBee. The Red for Revolution team would like to thank each person who helped bring this project to life. Please visit redforrevolution.com for the complete credit and gratitude list. For additional resources and to sign up for our newsletter, visit redforrevolution.com. This audio drama was recorded under the SAG-AFTRA 2020 New Media Principal Performer Contract. This episode includes interviews with Jana Naomi Smith Jordan Hull Tammy L. Hall Liz McBee Renée Wilson Alimi Ballard And features performances by: adrienne maree brown as series sonic guide Ashley J. Hobbs as additional narrations Renée Wilson as Lorraine Giovanni (1970s) Rutina Wesley as Ella Ali (1970s) Alimi Ballard as LeRoy (1970s) Will Kachi (Volunteer 1970s) Music Featured: “Revolution” Written by Jana Naomi Smith Original Composition by Tammy L. Hall Performed by Renée Wilson and the Red For Revolution Band Tammy Hall, pianist & music director Kofy Brown, electric Bassist Ruth Davies, acoustic Bassist Ruthie Price, drummer Vicki Randle, percussionist Kristen Strom, saxophonist/flautist For Radiotopia Presents, Yooree Losordo is the Managing Producer. Audrey Mardavich is the Executive Producer. Red for Revolution is part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed that debuts limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices.
Jun 3, 2025 · 23 min
Red for Revolution x The Frogs
On May 24, 2025 in LA, Red for Revolution's creator/writer/director Jana Naomi Smith joined The Frogs for a rollicking live taping of their podcast, to talk career, inspiration, the origins of R4R, and for a live performance featuring Caro Guzmán. To listen to the full episode, head over to the The Frogs — where theater, culture, and vibe collide. Co-hosted by Alex Ubokudom and Tobie Windham, the podcast dives deep with groundbreaking artists, thinkers, and storytellers who are shaping the future of performance and cultural expression. From unforgettable interviews to live events and creative activations, The Frogs is more than a podcast, it’s a movement. It’s community. Whether you’re in the industry or simply love a good story, The Frogs invites you to tap in. Created in collaboration with Outside In Theatre.
S15 · E6
Mar 11, 2025 · 41 min
Red for Revolution 6 - I Love Paris
As tensions escalate and hearts are both shattered and healed, our season one love story reaches its climax in the City of Love. Jazmine’s family surprises her with a graduation trip to Paris, but little do they know, she has a surprise of her own in store.
S15 · E5
Mar 4, 2025 · 43 min
Red for Revolution 5 - Send in the Clowns
As tensions between Jazmine and her mother boil over, Grandma Ella steps in, guiding the three women to confront the painful reality of intergenerational homophobia. Meanwhile, back in the 1970s, the stakes soar for Ella and Lorraine’s relationship as young Ella is falsely accused of a crime.
S15 · E4
Feb 25, 2025 · 29 min
Red for Revolution 4 - He Looked Beyond My Faults
Jazmine holds space for Ms. Lorraine as she shares her story of substance abuse, inspiring a conversation about grace and self-acceptance. Meanwhile, back in the 70s, a younger Lorraine confesses her substance abuse to Ella, generating a difficult impasse between the two.
S15 · E3
Feb 18, 2025 · 32 min
Red for Revolution 3 - Stormy Weather
As Jazmine grapples with self-acceptance, Grandma Ella and Ms. Lorraine feel compelled to share their respective insecurities. This leads to a poignant recollection of the day a power outage compelled a young Ella and Lorraine to reveal their deepest secrets and vulnerabilities.
S15 · E2
Feb 11, 2025 · 47 min
Red for Revolution 2 - Never Will I Marry
Jazmine uncovers her grandmother's journals, shedding light on previously unknown aspects of her inner life and igniting the tale of how Ella and Lorraine reconnected in 1971, New York City for a taping of the TV show Black Dreams after their passionate first encounter in Gary.
S15 · E1
Feb 4, 2025 · 34 min
Red for Revolution 1 - I’ve Got a Crush On You
After the assassination of a Black female revolutionary, an unexpected romance blossoms between the two women left in her wake—an apolitical jazz singer and a radical activist. While in the present day, college-bound Jazmine embarks on a journey to find her grandmother's first love and document their love story.
Jan 29, 2025 · 2 min
Radiotopia Presents: Red for Revolution
Red for Revolution is an enthralling audio drama that tells the passionate love story between jazz singer Lorraine Giovanni and activist Ella Ali. The narrative unfolds through the perspective of 18-year-old Jazmine, who is coming of age and seeking wisdom from her grandmother, Ella. As Jazmine conducts heartfelt interviews with her grandmother, listeners are transported between the vibrant present and the tumultuous year of 1971, encountering a captivating array of characters and experiencing an epic romance that transcends time. Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith, with musical direction by Tammy L. Hall and sound design by Collin Gerald Thomas. Original music by Tammy L. Hall and Jana Naomi Smith, and performed by Renée Wilson, Loretta Devine, and Jordan Hull featuring the Red for Revolution band: Tammy L. Hall on piano, Kofy Brown on electric bass, Ruth Davies on acoustic bass, Ruthie Price on drums, Kristen Strom on saxophone and flute, and Vicki Randle on percussion. The series is executive produced by Renée Wilson, Jana Naomi Smith, and Meta Mana Media with associate producers Jordan Hull, Adrian Snegg, and Vanessa E. Williams. All episodes produced by Liz McBee. The Red for Revolution team would like to thank each person who helped bring this project to life. Please visit redforrevolution.com for the complete credit and gratitude list. Performances featured in order of appearance: adrienne maree brown as Series Sonic Guide Jordan Hull as Jazmine S. Epatha Merkerson as Ella Ali (Present Day) Caro Guzmán as Adrienne Loretta Devine as Lorraine Giovanni (Present Day) Rutina Wesley as Ella Ali (1970s) Renée Wilson as Lorraine Giovanni (1970s) Alimi Ballard as LeRoy Don Daniels as Sean Vanessa E. Williams as Barbra Graves Jennifer Beals as Suzanne Sands Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Delores Ali Danny Glover as Howard Ali Song Featured: "Revolution" — Written by Jana Naomi Smith. Original composition by Tammy L. Hall. Performed by Renée Wilson and the Red For Revolution Band Learn more about Red for Revolution at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.

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