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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

Livestreaming Daniel Alexander Jones’ Saturday Morning Book Release Party
Video
Livestreaming Daniel Alexander Jones’ Saturday Morning Book Release Party
A celebration of two books released this month by 53rd State Press: Love Like Light and Particle and a Wave.
Saturday 2 October 2021
New York City
Livestreaming a Conversation: #DeafWoke with Malika Freeman
Video
Livestreaming a Conversation: #DeafWoke with Malika Freeman
#DeafWoke is a Virtual Consciousness-raising, Engaging Online Talk Show, Led by Black and Native American Deaf Host Mr. Antoine Hunter PurpleFireCrow
Thursday 30 September 2021
United States
Livestreaming a Conversation: Spirituality and Sexuality Through a Black Woman's Lens
Video
Livestreaming a Conversation: Spirituality and Sexuality Through a Black Woman's Lens
How Can We Use Our Spirituality and Sexuality to Reclaim Our Bodies?
Thursday 30 September 2021
United States
event poster for Daniel Alexander Jones's book release.
Livestreaming Daniel Alexander Jones’ Saturday Morning Book Release Party
National Black Theatre logo.
National Black Theatre
New Dramatists logo.
New Dramatists
53rd State Press Logo.
53rd State Press
Video

Livestreaming Daniel Alexander Jones’ Saturday Morning Book Release Party

A celebration of two books released this month by 53rd State Press: Love Like Light and Particle and a Wave.

Saturday 2 October 2021
New York City

A panel discussion to celebrate two new book releases: Love Like Light, Daniel Alexander Jones’s collection of seven plays and performance texts, and Particle and a Wave, a conversation between Daniel Alexander Jones and feminist poet and scholar Alexis Pauline Gumbs. Livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network Saturday 2 October 2021 at 9 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 11 a.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 12 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 5 p.m. BST (London, UTC +1) / 18:00 CEST (Berlin, UTC +2).

Event poster with headshots for Deaf Woke with Malika Freeman.
Livestreaming a Conversation: #DeafWoke with Malika Freeman
dancers performing against white background
Urban Jazz Dance Company
Video

Livestreaming a Conversation: #DeafWoke with Malika Freeman

#DeafWoke is a Virtual Consciousness-raising, Engaging Online Talk Show, Led by Black and Native American Deaf Host Mr. Antoine Hunter PurpleFireCrow

Thursday 30 September 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presents #DeafWoke with Malika Freeman livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Thursday 30 September 2021 at 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 7 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

event poster for spirituality and sexuality through a black woman's lens.
Livestreaming a Conversation: Spirituality and Sexuality Through a Black Woman's Lens
red background with white text red pill.
Red Pill
Video

Livestreaming a Conversation: Spirituality and Sexuality Through a Black Woman's Lens

How Can We Use Our Spirituality and Sexuality to Reclaim Our Bodies?

Thursday 30 September 2021
United States

Tonya Pinkins presents Through A Black Woman’s Lens—Spirituality & Sexuality livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 30 September 2021 at 2 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 4 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 5 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

event poster for deaf woke with sarah young bear brown.
Livestreaming a Conversation: #DeafWoke with Sarah Young Bear-Brown
dancers performing against white background
Urban Jazz Dance Company
Video

Livestreaming a Conversation: #DeafWoke with Sarah Young Bear-Brown

#DeafWoke is a Virtual Consciousness-Raising, Engaging Online Talk Show, Led by Black and Native American Deaf host Mr. Antoine Hunter PurpleFireCrow.

Thursday 16 September 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presents #DeafWoke with Sarah Young Bear-Brown/tti-ka-mi-ge-a livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Thursday 16 September 2021 at 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 7 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Three people sitting onstage, one of them holding a globe, and five spirits above them, one in the middle connecting two blocks with a spark in between them.
Public Access Archives: The End of the Theatre Industry
Essay

Public Access Archives: The End of the Theatre Industry

7 September 2021

Taylor Leigh Lamb and Sabine Decatur share emails, letters, social media posts, and more from the future that represent the period of profound change in the theatre industry beginning in 2021.

event poster for through a black woman's lens.
Misogynoir Through a Black Woman's Lens
red background with white text red pill.
Red Pill
Video

Misogynoir Through a Black Woman's Lens

What role can Black men play to change the narrative and protect women of color?

Thursday 26 August 2021
United States

Tonya Pinkins presented Through A Black Woman’s Lens—Misogynoir livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 26 August 2021 at 2 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 4 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 5 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

The guest, Teresa Coleman Wash, smiling and wearing a red shirt against a galaxy background.
Being a Neighborhood Resource Center and Owning Our Tables
Essay

Being a Neighborhood Resource Center and Owning Our Tables

With Teresa Coleman Wash of Bishop Arts Theatre Center

25 August 2021

Yura Sapi speaks with Teresa Coleman Wash, the founding artistic director of Bishop Arts Theatre Center, whose mission is to create a diverse and vibrant arts community while creating sustainable opportunities for local and emerging artists through performances and education.

poster of deafwoke with Kavita Pipalia.
#DeafWoke with Kavita Pipalia
dancers performing against white background
Urban Jazz Dance Company
Video

#DeafWoke with Kavita Pipalia

A Virtual Consciousness-Raising Online Talk Show, Led by Black and Native American Deaf Host Mr. Antoine Hunter PurpleFireCrow

Thursday 12 August 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presents #DeafWoke with Kavita Pipalia livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 12 August at 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 7 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Strong Foundations and Groundings & Solidarity
Podcast

Strong Foundations and Groundings & Solidarity

With Quanice Floyd of Art Administrators of Color

11 August 2021

Yura Sapi talks with Quanice Floyd, founder of Arts Administrators of Color Network, whose mission is to empower artists and arts administrators by providing tools and resources to advocate for equity, inclusion, access, and diversity in the arts.

event poster for through a black woman's lens literature.
Literature Through a Black Woman's Lens
red background with white text red pill.
Red Pill
Video

Literature Through a Black Woman's Lens

Black female literary characters, over the centuries and in present time, are often marginalized. We will discuss how we can reshape and center our stories as women of color

Thursday 29 July 2021
United States

Tonya Pinkins presented Through A Black Woman’s Lens—Literature livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 29 July 2021 at 2 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 4 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 5 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

#DeafWoke with Raven Sutton
dancers performing against white background
Urban Jazz Dance Company
Video

#DeafWoke with Raven Sutton

A virtual consciousness-raising online talk show, led by Black and Native American Deaf host Mr. Antoine Hunter PurpleFireCrow

Tuesday 27 July 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with Raven Sutton livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 27 July at 5 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 7 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 8 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

A headshot of Michelle A. Banks against a galaxy backdrop with the logo for Building Our Own Tables to the left.
Creating a Platform for BIPOC, Deaf, and Hard-of-Hearing Artists
Podcast

Creating a Platform for BIPOC, Deaf, and Hard-of-Hearing Artists

With Michelle Banks of Visionaries of the Creative Arts

21 July 2021

Yura Sapi sits down with Black, Deaf artist Michelle Banks to talk about Visionaries of the Creative Arts, an organization Michelle co-founded, dedicated to responding to the critical needs of d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing artists who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, in Washington, DC.

A woman holding a syringe and examining it.
Transcending Theatre: My Time with Robbie McCauley
Essay

Transcending Theatre: My Time with Robbie McCauley

20 July 2021

Tara Brooke Watkins reflects on the legacy of Robbie McCauley, who challenged the status quo of theatre systems, from the classroom to the rehearsal room to productions.

event poster for deafwoke with april jackson woodard
#DeafWoke with April Jackson-Woodard
dancers performing against white background
Urban Jazz Dance Company
Video

#DeafWoke with April Jackson-Woodard

A virtual consciousness-raising online talk show, led by Black and Native American Deaf host Mr. Antoine Hunter PurpleFireCrow

Tuesday 13 July 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with April Jackson-Woodard livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 13 July at 5 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 7 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 8 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

event poster for deaf woke with June Alsobrook.
#DeafWoke with June Alsobrook
dancers performing against white background
Urban Jazz Dance Company
Video

#DeafWoke with June Alsobrook

A virtual consciousness-raising online talk show, led by Black and Native American Deaf host Mr. Antoine Hunter PurpleFireCrow

Thursday 8 July 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with June Alsobrook livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 8 July at 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 7 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Creating a Platform for Black-Palestinian Solidarity
Essay

Creating a Platform for Black-Palestinian Solidarity

6 July 2021

Jen Marlowe shares how her documentary play There Is A Field became a framework for exploring Black-Palestinian solidarity.

A headshot of Maurice Parent against a galaxy background. The Building Our Own Tables logo is left of Parent.
Co-Productions and Rethinking Leadership
Podcast

Co-Productions and Rethinking Leadership

With Maurice Parent of the Front Porch Arts Collective

30 June 2021

In this episode of Building Our Own Tables, Yura Sapi talks about leadership in theatre with Black actor and educator Maurice Parent, a co-producer of the Collective.

event poster for deaf woke with dorothea tolliver.
#DeafWoke with Dorothea Tolliver
dancers performing against white background
Urban Jazz Dance Company
Video

#DeafWoke with Dorothea Tolliver

A virtual consciousness-raising online talk show, led by Black and Native American Deaf host Mr. Antoine Hunter PurpleFireCrow

Thursday 24 June 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with Dorothea Tolliver livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 25 June at 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 7 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

event poster
Business and Access
red background with white text red pill.
Red Pill
Video

Business and Access

A discussion on Black Women as entrepreneurs and the disparities in access to funding—Tonya Pinkins

Thursday 24 June 2021
United States

Tonya Pinkins presented Through A Black Woman’s Lens—Business and Access livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 24 June 2021 at 2 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 4 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 5 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

The silhouettes of a Black woman and a Black man in an embrace against a pink-purple ombre background.
Confessions of a Black Intimacy Director: Black Love and Human Rights
Essay

Confessions of a Black Intimacy Director: Black Love and Human Rights

7 June 2021

Dr. Ayshia Mackie-Stephenson believes that when it comes to intimacy directing, choreography can celebrate Black love as an act of racial and sexual justice.

event poster for this episode of the stories women carry.
Arts Education and the Focus on Africa for the Future
Tebere Arts Foundation
NBO musical theatre initiative logo.
Nairobi Musical Theatre Initiative
Video

Arts Education and the Focus on Africa for the Future

The Stories Women Carry: Creative Practice of African Women from the Continent

Monday 24 May 2021
Kenya

Tebere Arts Foundation presented the conversation Arts Education and the Focus on Africa for the Future with The Stories Women Carry: Creative Practice of African Women from the Continent livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 24 May 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 8 p.m. EAT (Nairobi, UTC +3).

#DeafWoke with Noah David James III
dancers performing against white background
Urban Jazz Dance Company
Video

#DeafWoke with Noah David James III

A virtual consciousness-raising online talk show, led by Black and Native American Deaf host Mr. Antoine Hunter PurpleFireCrow

Thursday 20 May 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with Noah David James III livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 20 May at 5 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 7 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 8 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

the four panelists.
Through A Black Woman’s Lens
orange circle with T C G text
TCG
Video

Through A Black Woman’s Lens

A Look at the Disparities in Hollywood & Theater for Black Women—Tonya Pinkins

Thursday 20 May 2021
United States

Theatre Communications Group presented Through A Black Woman’s Lens—A Look at the Disparities in Hollywood & Theater for Black Women—Tonya Pinkins livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 20 May 2021 at 2 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 4 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 5 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

event poster with artist headshot and text event details.
African Diaspora: Shaping the Future of African American Performance
Tebere Arts Foundation
NBO musical theatre initiative logo.
Nairobi Musical Theatre Initiative
Video

African Diaspora: Shaping the Future of African American Performance

The Stories Women Carry: Creative Practice of African Women from the Continent

Monday 17 May 2021
Kenya

Tebere Arts Foundation presented the conversation African Diaspora: Shaping the Future of African American Performance with The Stories Women Carry: Creative Practice of African Women from the Continent livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 17 May 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 8 p.m. EAT (Nairobi, UTC +3).

event poster for episode ten of the stories women carry.
Connecting Africa to the World: Creative Platforms for Africans on the Continent and Beyond
Tebere Arts Foundation
NBO musical theatre initiative logo.
Nairobi Musical Theatre Initiative
Video

Connecting Africa to the World: Creative Platforms for Africans on the Continent and Beyond

The Stories Women Carry: Creative Practice of African Women from the Continent

Monday 10 May 2021
Kenya

Tebere Arts Foundation presented the conversation Connecting Africa to the World: Creative Platforms for Africans on the Continent and Beyond with The Stories Women Carry: Creative Practice of African Women from the Continent livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 10 May 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 8 p.m. EAT (Nairobi, UTC +3).