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Black Theatre

The rich tradition and current state of Black Theatre is explored in this content, including discussions analyzing contemporary work and pieces honoring trailblazers. Consider starting with the Daughters of Lorraine podcast, the Journal series on the state of Black theatre, or the Journal series on Black women in the performing arts.

The Latest

What Is Black Theatre?
Podcast
What Is Black Theatre?
by Jordan Ealey, Leticia Ridley
20 September 2023
Decolonizing Arts Leadership Through Shared Black and Indigenous Leadership
Essay
Decolonizing Arts Leadership Through Shared Black and Indigenous Leadership
by David Howse, Ronee Penoi
12 September 2023
Black and Indigenous Futures: Aligning Our Visions and Activism
Video
Black and Indigenous Futures: Aligning Our Visions and Activism
Thursday 21 September 2023
Boston, Massachusetts
Promotional graphic for "Black and Indigenous Futures Aligning".
Black and Indigenous Futures: Aligning Our Visions and Activism
Video

Black and Indigenous Futures: Aligning Our Visions and Activism

Thursday 21 September 2023
Boston, Massachusetts

This discussion explored visions of activism, advocacy, co-leadership, and solidarity in Afro-Indigenous, Black, and Indigenous futures.

Promotional graphic for "Black and Indigenous Histories to the Now".
Black and Indigenous Histories to the Now: How We Carry Our Past into the Present
Video

Black and Indigenous Histories to the Now: How We Carry Our Past into the Present

Wednesday 20 September 2023
Boston, Massachusetts

This discussion explored the foundations of Black and Indigenous co-leadership solidarity, shared understanding, and movement building.

Daughters of Lorraine Podcast teaser.
What Is Black Theatre?
Podcast

What Is Black Theatre?

20 September 2023

This episode will discuss the age old questions of what is Black theatre? What is a Black play? How do you know one when you see it? Leticia Ridley and Jordan Ealey provide an overview of the some of the most popular commentary on this question from Black theatre theorists of the past such as W.E.B Dubois, Alain Locke, and Alice Childress.

A man holding cards for a speech and a woman who smiles and claps stand together on stage.
Decolonizing Arts Leadership Through Shared Black and Indigenous Leadership
Essay

Decolonizing Arts Leadership Through Shared Black and Indigenous Leadership

12 September 2023

David Howse and Ronee Penoi, co-leaders of ArtsEmerson, introduce the Black and Indigenous Futures Series with an essay that discusses their commitment to a shared leadership approach that foregrounds solidarity between Black and Indigenous communities.

Gender Euphoria teaser image featuring guest profile images.
Queer Archival Praxis Roundtable
Podcast

Queer Archival Praxis Roundtable

With Guests David Silvernail, Janet Werther, Victoria Lafave, Jordan Ealey, and Kelli Crump

6 September 2023

What role does white supremacy play in the creation of the queer theatre canon? What power and what responsibility do we—as queer theatremakers, historians, and educators—have to challenge canons and archives that define “queer” almost exclusively as white and cisgender? Artist-scholars Janet Werther, Victoria LaFave, Jordan Ealey, David Silvernail, and Kelli Crump join host Nicolas Shannon Savard to tackle these questions and to queer the archive.

A tall Black man performs passionately while surrounded by audience members.
Shakespeare Against the Canon in Our Verse in Time to Come
Essay

Shakespeare Against the Canon in Our Verse in Time to Come

22 August 2023

Karen Ann Daniels, Malik Work, and John “Ray” Proctor sit down with Melissa Lin Sturges to discuss their work on Our Verse in Time to Come, a Folger Theatre production that used Shakespeare as a jumping off point to become a testament to “the other bards”—the ones still living and the ones still to come.

A troupe of dancers in formation mid-performance smile.
Reengineering Education in the Adagbabiri Community Through Theatre for Development
Essay

Reengineering Education in the Adagbabiri Community Through Theatre for Development

17 August 2023

Eseovwe Emakunu and Dennis U. Obire, co-founders of the Shanty Theatre, chronicle their work in the Adagbabiri Community in Bayelsa State, which is one of the most educationally deprived states in Nigeria. Using a theatre for development model, the group worked with local children to create a performance that demonstrated the importance of education in the social development of a community and nation.

event poster for the 4th Black Spatial Relics Convening.
The Fourth Black Spatial Relics Convening
Video

The Fourth Black Spatial Relics Convening

A Constellation of Artist Talks, Ceremonies, a Digital Performance Showcase, and Varied Conjures/Facilitations on Black Virtuosic Hope-Building

Thursday 27 July - Sunday 30 July 2023
Philadelphia, PA

Highlighting sacred local cultural institutions including the Colored Girls Museum, the Discovery Center, and a ritual tour across the city of Philadelphia, this gathering is a space for a stirring up of a new hope, inspired entirely by the study of our ancestral and living leaders who have built for themselves and their communities a daily practice of Black virtuosic hope.

A group of people surrounds a table serving food in a festive setting.
On Producing an International Tour During a Global Pandemic
Essay

On Producing an International Tour During a Global Pandemic

24 July 2023

Amelia Parenteau chronicles the process of translating Eva Doumbia’s Autophagies from French to English and producing its tour in the United States, a project that unfolded across four years.

two women in 1950s clothing stand in front of a puppet theater proscenium frame with the wonderland puppet theater written on its front.
Oral Histories of Wonderland Puppet Theatre During the Civil Rights Movement
Video

Oral Histories of Wonderland Puppet Theatre During the Civil Rights Movement

Panel Discussion with Residents of Concord Park, Pennsylvania

Saturday 22 July 2023
Pennsylvania

Housing rights activist Morris Milgram developed Concord Park outside of Philadelphia as an interracial community at a time when covenants prohibiting the sale of homes to African Americans and other minority groups were routinely included in deeds. Children of the Wonderland Puppet Theatre puppeteers discussed their experience growing up in a neighborhood that intentionally sought to fulfill Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of beloved community and the role that the Wonderland Puppet Theatre played in unifying neighbors.

event poster for the sons of liberty pre show talk.
Sons of Liberty Pre-Show Talk
Video

Sons of Liberty Pre-Show Talk

Featuring Playwright Cris E. Blak, Director John "Ray" Proctor, and Guest Panelists Glenn Wofford and Joe Hargrove III (AKA DJ Tank)

Friday 30 June 2023
United States

Warrior Writers is a veteran-focused arts organization that fosters artistic exploration and expression through casual, welcoming workshops and retreats. By reflecting and creating in a comfortable space, we encourage and support healing and community building. Art making becomes the creative tool through which we understand and transcend experiences of trauma and emotional disruptions that are not easily identified but constantly felt.

event poster for afrolatine superfriends playwriting hour with adrienne dawes.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Adrienne Dawes
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Adrienne Dawes

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 22 June 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

event poster for Juneteenth Liberation Ball.
Juneteenth Liberation Ball
Video

Juneteenth Liberation Ball

The Closing Event of No Dream Deferred's We Will Dream: New Works Festival

Monday 19 June 2023
United States

The first year of the We Will Dream: New Works Festival was a success! To close out this amazing experience, join No Dream Deferred at their closing fundraising event, the Juneteenth Liberation Ball. This event will honor Chakula Cha Jua, Karen-Kaia Livers, Lance Nichols, Zardis, and multi-award winning playwright Erika Dickerson-Despenza. Our guest speaker will be the 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner, James Ijames.

event poster for Dare To Dream with Cris E. Blak.
Dare To Dream with Cris E. Blak
Video

Dare To Dream with Cris E. Blak

Playwright Cris E. Blak Shares How his Dream of Writing and Premiering Sons of Liberty Became a Reality

Friday 16 June 2023
New Orleans, Louisiana

Cris Eli Blak is an emerging Black playwright whose work has garnered him recognition from The Negro Ensemble Company, Kairos Italy Theater, Austin Film Festival, Barrington Stage Company, TEDxBroadway, and Ignition Arts. Here he sits down to share how his dream of writing and premiering Sons of Liberty became a reality.

event poster for afrolatine superfriends playwriting hour with reynaldo piniella.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Reynaldo Piniella
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Reynaldo Piniella

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 15 June 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

Event poster for afrolatine superfriends with Candido Tirado.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Cándido Tirado
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Cándido Tirado

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 8 June 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

event poster for a pre show conversation on the defiance of dandelions.
The Defiance of Dandelions Pre-Show Talk
Video

The Defiance of Dandelions Pre-Show Talk

Featuring Michele Seymour, Philana Imade Omorotionmwan, and Lauren Turner Hines

Friday 2 June 2023
New Orleans, Louisiana

This pre-show discussion was facilitated by Michele Seymour of Project Butterfly New Orleans, Playwright, Philana Omorotionmwan, and Producing Artistic Director of No Dream Deferred, Lauren Turner Hines. They address important themes and takeaways that were present in The Defiance of Dandelions.

Event poster for afrolatine superfriends playwriting hour with darrel alejandro holnes.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Darrel Alejandro Holnes
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Darrel Alejandro Holnes

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 1 June 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

event poster for afrolatine superfriends playwriting hour with josefina baez.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Josefina Báez
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Josefina Báez

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the U.S.

Thursday 25 May 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

Event poster for Rachel Lynett.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Rachel Lynett
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Rachel Lynett

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 18 May 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

From the Ground Up Podcast Teaser image featuring guest profile image.
SoulWork and Soul Searching
Podcast

SoulWork and Soul Searching

17 May 2023

Culture worker and theatre practitioner Dr. Cristal Chanelle Truscott provides a primer on her SoulWork process, applies it to her present processes, and expands our horizons as artists.

Event poster for afrolatine superfriends with christin eve cato.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Christin Eve Cato
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Christin Eve Cato

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 11 May 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.

event poster for Dare to Dream with Playwright, Philana Omorotionmwan.
Dare to Dream with Playwright Philana Imade Omorotionmwan
Video

Dare to Dream with Playwright Philana Imade Omorotionmwan

Playwright Philana Imade Omorotionmwan Shares How her Dream of Premiering The Defiance of Dandelions Became a Reality

Friday 5 May 2023
New Orleans, Louisiana

Philana Imade Omorotionmwan is writing to save her body and spirit from a world that seems hell-bent on destroying them. She sits down to share how her dream of premiering The Defiance of Dandelions became a reality.

Segal theatre center logo.
Edouard Glissant’s Tale of Black Histories (Histoire de nègre)
Video

Edouard Glissant’s Tale of Black Histories (Histoire de nègre)

A Conversation with Director Gilbert Laumord, Producer Elvia Gutiérrez, and Festival Director Eddy Compper

Friday 5 May 2023
New York City

Join us for a talk with Caribbean theatre director Gilbert Laumord (Guadeloupe) discussing his latest work, Tale of Black Histories (Histoire de nègre), by the late, legendary Caribbean writer, poet, and philosopher Édouard Glissant. Born in Martinique, writer Édouard Glissant and his colleagues at the Institut Martiniquais d’études (IME) wrote and performed this intellectually rich, formally innovative, yet long-neglected unique play themselves in 1971–72.

Event poster. Melissa DuPrey portrait.
AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Melissa DuPrey
Video

AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour with Melissa DuPrey

An AfroLatine-Led Playwriting Series Featuring Writers/Theatremakers from Across the United States

Thursday 4 May 2023
United States

The AfroLatine Superfriends Playwriting Hour is an incredible opportunity to learn from AfroLatine-led playwrights and theatremakers from all corners of the United States. With a wealth of experience, they will share their writing practices, experiences, and insightful anecdotes on the process, inspiration, and practices of dramatic writing. Live human-edited captions and American Sign Language (ASL) will be available for all live sessions, and human-edited closed captions will available on the archival video.