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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

The Virtuosity of Black Storytelling with Tarell Alvin McCraney
Podcast
The Virtuosity of Black Storytelling with Tarell Alvin McCraney
by Jordan Ealey, Leticia Ridley, Tarell Alvin McCraney
6 March 2024
Opening the Channel with Masi Asare
Podcast
Opening the Channel with Masi Asare
by Masi Asare, Leticia Ridley, Jordan Ealey
28 February 2024
Finding the Individual in Your Digital Choreography Library
Podcast
Finding the Individual in Your Digital Choreography Library
by Tjaša Ferme, LaJune McMillian
15 February 2024
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.

Segal theatre center logo.
New Plays from the Caribbean
Video

New Plays from the Caribbean

With Stéphanie Bérard (France), Daniely Francisque (Martinique), Elvia Gutiérrez (Mexico, China), Gaël Octavia, and Others

Tuesday 2 May 2023
New York City

Join us for a conversation celebrating the unique anthology and latest Segal Center Publication, New Plays from the Caribbean, a most significant and lasting part of the 2019 Caribbean Theater Project ACT (Actions Caribéennes Théâtrales)—initiated and co-organized by the Martin E. Segal Theatre Center in New York City, the theatre company SIYAJ from Guadeloupe, and Stéphanie Bérard.

Event poster for a pre show conversation about where the suga still sweet.
Where The Suga Still Sweet Pre-Show Talk
Video

Where The Suga Still Sweet Pre-Show Talk

A Pre-Show Discussion Featuring Playwright Brian Egland, Director Lauren Turner Hines, & Facilitator Dr. Laura Adderley

Friday 28 April 2023
New Orleans, Louisiana

This is a pre-show conversation with Playwright Brian Egland, Director Lauren Turner Hines, & Facilitator Dr. Laura Adderley as they cover important themes that are present during Where The Suga Still Sweet.

Two performers embracing in the middle of the stage.
Black Southern Playwrights Take Center Stage
Essay

Black Southern Playwrights Take Center Stage

27 April 2023

Amelia Parenteau introduces the We Will Dream: New Works Festival, a festival showcasing new plays by Black playwrights originating from or working in the American South.

Six performers in jumpsuits dance on either side of another performer who is dressed in an usher costume.
The Need for Scholarship on Black Queer Theatrical Culture
Essay

The Need for Scholarship on Black Queer Theatrical Culture

24 April 2023

Jessica Elaine Ellison writes about the need for robust scholarship on Black queer theatrical culture.

Event poster for HBCU Theatre Summit.
HBCU Theatre Summit’s “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black” Monologue Showcase
Video

HBCU Theatre Summit’s “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black” Monologue Showcase

We Will Dream: New Works Festival

Saturday 15 April 2023
New Orleans, Louisiana

Featuring monologues by HBCU college students. The HBCU Theatre Summit is for Black theatre students as they navigate the world of the arts.

event poster for a pre show talk with playwright brian egland.
Dare to Dream with Playwright Brian Egland
Video

Dare to Dream with Playwright Brian Egland

Brian Egland Shares His Journey to Producing Where The Suga Still Sweet

Friday 14 April 2023
New Orleans, Louisiana

Playwright Brian Egland, sits down to share how his dream of premiering Where The Suga Still Sweet became a reality.

Event poster for HBCU Theatre Summit.
HBCU Theatre Summit’s Keynote Speech by Actor Doug Spearman
Video

HBCU Theatre Summit’s Keynote Speech by Actor Doug Spearman

We Will Dream: New Works Festival

Friday 14 April 2023
New Orleans, Louisiana

Keynote speech delivered by actor Doug Spearman (Noah's Arc). The HBCU Theatre Summit is for Black theatre students as they navigate the world of the arts.

Five cast members of Ain't No Mo' stand on stage during a performance.
Dreaming Beyond Broadway
Essay

Dreaming Beyond Broadway

13 April 2023

Playwrights Star Finch, Psalmayene 24, and J. Nicole Brooks chat about Black playwrights on Broadway, and what being produced there represents to them.

event poster for a pre show conversation on drapetomania.
Drapetomania Pre-Show Talk
Video

Drapetomania Pre-Show Talk

Featuring M. D. Schaffer, Director David Kote, & Facilitator A Scribe Called Quess?

Friday 31 March 2023
New Orleans, Louisiana

A pre-show discussion featuring playwright M.D. Schaffer, M. D. Schaffer, Director David Kote, & Facilitator A Scribe Called Quess? as they cover important themes that are present during Drapetomania.