Wednesday, February 29, 2012

A Complete Guide to the NYC Black Theater Revolution


Contributed by Guest Blogger of the Week, Christopher Burris.

We are amidst a revolution. The world at large may not be aware yet, but they will. As prophesied by our dear brother Gil Scott-Heron, this revolution will not be televised, but it is being staged in theaters throughout NYC. Black theater artists all over the city are taking control of their own stories. They are no longer looking to institutions headed by those outside of the community to produce their work. They want their stories told their way, with their artistic sensibilities so that their cultural and social livelihoods might be expressed in a more authentic, relevant way.

I can't tell you when it started. I don't know if there was a specific event or date that sparked this theatrical awakening. I can, however, tell you the exact moment I became aware of it's existence. August 14, 2011 at about 8:11 or 8:12. A group of Black producers, Harlem9, (Spencer Scott Barros, Sandra A. Daley-Sharif, Bryan E. Glover, Garlia Cornelia Jones, Eric Lockley, Jonathan McCroy, Erin Michelle Washington, Erin Cherry, and Deborah Goodwin) put on an evening of new short plays written, directed and acted by some of the best and brightest Black theater artists on the NYC scene.

The event, called 48 Hours in Harlem, was a sold out, standing-room smash. Yet even more important than the evening's monetary success was it's artistic accomplishments. When I went to sleep the Friday before the event, there was nothing. I awoke on Saturday morning with the red light of my phone indicating that there was a new play waiting for me to read, and later that morning, to direct. I believed in our play and the late night efforts of our writer. I also would have trusted my cast with my life, so I was thrilled to share our work with the world that Sunday. Yet, it wasn't until I saw the other plays that I realized that this evening would live well beyond it's two hour running time. 

Were you there, dear reader? It hurts me to think that had I not been involved, I too might have missed out on this night that I now know changed the artistic lives of so many young professionals. I wish that I could replay that evening so that you might be able to witness the same brilliance that I witnessed. I wish that I could describe the energy to you in a way that's not trite or simply anecdotal. I wish that I could have bottled up some of the magic in that room so that it might be preserved for future generations of artists. I can't do those things. What I can do, is tell you whose talent touched the stage that night: Ayanna Maia, Dominique Morisseau, Keith Josef Adkins, Derek Lee McPhatter, Mfoniso Udofia, Harrison David Rivers, Tamilia Woodard, Melissa Maxwell, Russell G. Jones, Nicole A. Watson, LA Williams, Bruce Lemon, Laura E. Johnston, Axel Avin Jr., Chanel Carroll, Heather Alicia Simms, Crystal Dickinson, Gillian Glasco, Jamie Lincoln Smith, Jocelyn Bioh, Elain Graham, Samuel T. Gaines, Willie Teacher, Tamela Aldridge, Marcus Naylor, Gerald Joseph, Ayo Cummings, Alano Miller, and Charles Browning.

August 14, 2011. The night I was awakened to the revolution. Since then have noticed that the Black theater community has hung a little tighter. I have made an honest effort to support the work of every artist from that night and feel that they have done the same for me. We are working to stay connected to each other. We have finally moved past politeness and into the kind of open and honest critique that helps us grow as artists and as beings. We have started to recognize the power we possess when we come together. When we take the energy spent trying to be accepted by White institutions and refocus it on ourselves, then we are truly shining a light on the gifts we have been given.

We're not just dreaming bigger. We're dreaming Blacker.

Since that night in Harlem, I have been more aware of other artists that are a part of the movement. I can't list them all. I can't know them all. (Feel free to respond by naming those I have missed.) Nevertheless, these are the writers, directors, actors and organizations that should be on the tip of the theater community's tongue. These names should be spoken, for they are worthy: Bridgit Antoinette Evans, Jesse Cameron Alick, Dennis A. Allen II, Kelley Girod, Germono Toussaint, Camille Darby, Kevin R. Free, Tracey Conyer Lee, J. Holtham, Hazelle Goodman, Bianca LaVerne Jones, chandra thomas, Clinton Lowe, Nedra McClyde, John-Andrew Morrison, Suzanne Darrell, Ione Lloyd, James Halloway, Lisa Strum, Lexi Rhodes, Johnathan Payne, Lynette R. Freeman, Donnetta Lavinia Grays, Erich McMillan-McCall, Shaun Neblett, Stephen Hill, Toccarra Cash, Lori E. Parquet, Freedom Train Productions, The Movement Theatre Company, Under the Spell Productions, Liberation Theatre Company, ActNow Foundation, A Cherry On Top Productions, Take Wing and Soar Productions, and The New Black Fest.

These are the soldiers on the frontline of this revolutionary moment in our theatrical times. Google one. Google them all. Donate to their projects. Most importantly, go see their work. The talent and skill are undeniable, and there is a new sense of empowerment that saturates everything they touch. Each one carries a torch that, united, will set the entire NYC scene ablaze.

6 comments:

  1. THIS BEAUTIFUL! KEEP IT UP :)Add Jamil Mangan to the list!

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  2. Thank you for this article Christopher Burris! So happy you are saying it out loud, finally. As an artist a generation before you, I have been saying this my complete theatrical life and have been told to be quiet, don't speak out loud about these issues, you're too revolutionary...opinonated...etc. I have been so tired of white directors telling our stories, as if there are no TRAINED Black Directors; it would seem that the only way we can get on Broadway/Off-Broadway, is for some young white girl or guy to direct us [cut their teeth, get good reviews, etc]...or...god bless Kenny L. but he is not the only Black Director in America...NY! not mad at white folks...more the system and the playwrights who buy into it and don't demand a black director. As a friend Judyie calls it: COINTELPRO Theatre.

    So I look forward to this neo-revolution and your work and hopefully I'll work w some of you in the near future! Don't believe the hype, I'm not a trouble maker...just speak from my heart and soul...will ask nicely for a while....and don't like bullshit or seeing actors sacrificed...if you are a leader...solve problems... it's hard, but as one of my mentors, Roger Furman used to say: "when you enter my theatre...leave yr ego at the door and don't bring no bad vibes...it's about the work!"
    Thank you again! light, joy, magic, passion & integrity! Kim Weston-Moran, rhythmcolor1121@yahoo.com

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  3. Thank you Christopher for giving us all a shout out!
    Allow me to return a shout out to you, an amazing actor and director to keep an eye on... and support.

    Larger institutions and white producers are also noticing the revolution that we are experiencing. As they also seek to be a part of the revolution and to "diversify" their missions, they are not always equipped to nurture and support artists of color. It is incumbent on us to advocate for ourselves, to be vocal, proactive, and to "rally" for our own support team. If it suits you, don't wait; ask for a black director and/or a black dramaturg.

    Let's agree to honor "quality" in the work. To never judge, "Oh, that's not black... enough." We know we come from different places. But at the end of the day, if we are vigilant with each other and ourselves about producing quality work, we will ensure longevity. It will become more than just a "movement"... and ultimately widen our audience. All producers love that!

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  4. Yes! The tide of self determining Black Theater is quickly becoming impossible to ignore! Kudos to Mr. Burris for having the gumption to name names and validate our experience. I too feel indebted to the producers and participants of Harlem 9 as we claimed our community and are continuing to strengthen and widen it. Indeed there is more to come, and I am titillated by the possibilities the community creates.

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  5. Love this! how can i learn of future events before they've passed?

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  6. there's a lot more to be listed and thanked, like Pernell Walker, and all of the amazing Talent in the Fire This Time Festival, and to clarify, its WITH a Cherry on Top Productions and more and more like ChiChi Anyanwu, and Radha Blank... and more and more....

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