Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Fountain Theatre Director & Producer Murdered in K-Town
Image via The Fountain Theatre
()
Image via The Fountain Theatre
In what appears to be a robbery turned deadly, the theatre community this weekend mourned the loss of award winning director and producer, Ben Bradley, of the Fountain Theatre. He was stabbed to death around 5:50 p.m. on Saturday evening in his Koreatown apartment on the 100 block of South New Hampshire, some two miles from the theatre in East Hollywood where he greeted audiences while also managing the box office, among working other various roles. At this point, police are working off few clues. "We have very little to go on," said Officer Karen Rayner to the LA Times. "We are asking for the public's help."
Bradley's body was discovered after he did not show for a rehearsal. He was directing "The Ballad of Emmett Till," scheduled to open in February, about "the Chicago youth who was savagely beaten to death by Southern whites in 1955," reported The Wrap, which noted the crime's "cruelly ironic twist" because Bradley was African American. After a long meeting Sunday, theatre officials decided to continue with the play in honor of him, said the Times.
Bradley won the 2006 OVATION Award for Best Production and Best Director for "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," according to the LA Weekly. His production of "Direct from Death Row: The Scottsboro Boys" earned him L.A. Weekly and Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle awards, both for Best Ensemble. He also produced Voices, the theatre's "groundbreaking free theatre program for persons with HIV/AIDS
Support for LAist comes from
Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact Olympic Homicide Detectives Herman Frettlohr and Matthew Gares at (213) 382-9470. During non-business hours or on weekends calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist