Latest news with #Rupe
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Art meets Pride at Orlando's Renaissance Theater Co.
The Renaissance Theater Co., or the Ren, as it's affectionately called, is a theater that goes beyond showcasing performances and provides a dynamic community initiative devoted to uplifting and empowering the LGBTQ+ community. Walking into the Renaissance Theater Co. on Princeton Street in Orlando is like being surrounded by art – costumes, stages and music are everywhere. Not only that, but the place is constantly changing its setup to accommodate whatever production they have. 'We've been trying to find those voices and uplift those voices in everything that we do. I'm really proud of the work we've done and I think we continue to do that today,' said Donald Rupe, co-founder of The Renaissance Theater Company. The theater officially opened its doors back in 2021. Since then, its performers, members and visitors alike have found a way to advocate for their community while consistently celebrating diversity through art. 'We've got an incredible response ever since we opened. It's been amazing,' Rupe said. 'We noticed right away that the people coming to this show are not the kinds of people that you traditionally see in many theaters across the country.' The Ren also offers a chance for younger performers to jumpstart or develop their careers. 'We're creating a space here to showcase the amazing talent that's in Orlando,' said Abby Cash, a choreographer from Texas who has been calling Central Florida home for years. 'It's been really cool. Experience and a growth experience for me.' As part of Pride Month, The Ren is debuting another new show: the Tony Award-winning musical 'Hair.' 'The story follows this group of hippies in the 1960s that are protesting against the Vietnam War, specifically against men being drafted,' said Bruno DeSouza, who plays Berger in the show. 'Then one of our best friends decides who wants to go for the sheer hope of it protecting us.' Throughout the year, the creative brains behind the operations at The Ren work on ways to bring brand-new shows and performances to the stage while also fostering an environment where each voice is heard and considered. 'It represents love and acceptance and diversity, especially in this production [Hair], and those are all things that The Ren takes very seriously,' said Rupe. 'I am proud every single day of what The Ren has become and what Renaissance Theater Company means for people.' The Renaissance Theater Company has performances scheduled all year long. See what's next right here. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Davenport man faces 23 charges of child pornography
A 20-year-old Davenport man faces child-pornography charges after he was arrested on a warrant, according to Scott County Court arrest affidavits and Scott County Jail records. Tyler Rupe faces 23 felony charges of purchase/possess depiction of a minor in a sex act – first offense, according to Scott County arrest affidavits and Scott County Jail records. On Sept. 28, 2023, arrest affidavits say Davenport Police detectives were assigned a CyberTip investigation from the Iowa Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which is centered on identifying and prosecuting people who engage in the sexual exploitation of minors through the use of the Internet. Scott County Court arrest affidavits say that three separate reports (two from Microsoft and one from Kik, which is a messaging app that allows users to send messages, photos, videos, GIFs, and even sketches, and supports group chats,) had been made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) ranging in date from July 31, 2021-July 25, 2023, regarding child pornography. 'These reports were found to be linked by a shared IP address,' affidavits show. 'Several search warrants were executed on various ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and social media companies as a part of this investigation,' according to arrest affidavits. Rupe's Dropbox account was seized by law enforcement on or about Oct. 16, 2023, say affidavits, which show 'The account was found to contain 34 videos depicting prepubescent and/or pubescent minor females and/or males in various states of full or partial nudity,' Rupe's cell phone was seized on Jan. 8, 2024, in Davenport, and was found to contain about 190 images depicting prepubescent and/or pubescent children in various states of full or partial nudity, according to affidavits, which say 'Several of these images depict children as young as approximately 4-7 years old. Five of the images were identified by Project Vic as previously identified CSAM (Child Sex Abuse Material).' The phone was found to contain about 75 videos depicting pre-pubescent and/or pubescent children in various states of full or partial nudity, show affidavits, which say 'Several of these videos depict children as young as approximately 4-7 years old. Five of the videos depict minor children engaged in sex acts with animals (bestiality).' After he was read his Miranda Rights, Rupe admitted 'to requesting, receiving and sending child pornography with other users online,' arrest affidavits show, and he 'admitted to having previously viewed child pornography involving a child under the age of 5 years old.' Rupe was being held on a $75,000 bond Saturday in Scott County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
