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 New Black Fest

Video

The New Black Fest

A festival curated by Keith Josef Adkins on Unapologetic Humanity and Unapologetic Accountability at the Segal Center

Monday 22 April 2024

New York

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

Writing Detroit: Dominique Morisseau’s Practice of the Possible

Podcast

Writing Detroit: Dominique Morisseau’s Practice of the Possible

10 August 2022

Jordan Ealey and Leticia Ridley interview award-winning and acclaimed playwright Dominique Morisseau about her recent Broadway productions of Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations and Skeleton Crew; the future of Detroit theatre and performance; and reckoning with American history. Ealey and Ridley discuss Morisseau’s practice of reparative creativity and the ability for theatre to serve as a rehearsal for true change.

A Black performer wearing patterned headband and yellow shirt on stage

No Longer Your “Token Black Bitch”

Latrice

Richardson

Essay

No Longer Your “Token Black Bitch”

8 August 2022

Theatremaker Latrice Richardson addresses the ongoing misogynoir in storytelling by detailing one of her past experiences and advocates for better representation of Black women in theatre.

Staging Reproductive Freedom in Black Feminist Theatre

Podcast

Staging Reproductive Freedom in Black Feminist Theatre

3 August 2022

This episode is inspired by recent and current events regarding Roe v. Wade and their potential impact on birthing people. We think about the representation of reproductive justice (things such as abortion, contraception, and anything regarding decisions to birth or plan a family) especially from Black women playwrights. We discuss plays such as They That Sit in Darkness by Mary Burrill, Rachel by Angelina Weld Grimke, Come Down Burning by Kia Corthron, In the Blood by Suzan-Lori Parks, and Abortion Road Trip by Rachel Lynett.

Writing Detroit

ATHE

Video

Writing Detroit

Dominique Morisseau’s Practice of the Possible

Friday 29 July 2022

United States

The Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) presented the conversation Writing Detroit: Dominique Morisseau’s Practice of the Possible livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network on Friday 29 July 2022 at 8 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 10 a.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 11 a.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Black Women Got Something to Say: A Conversation with Pearl Cleage

Podcast

Black Women Got Something to Say: A Conversation with Pearl Cleage

27 July 2022

In this episode, Jordan and Leticia interview playwright Pearl Cleage. They discuss the way she has navigated her career as a Black feminist/womanist playwright often working in Black spaces; how she found her home in Atlanta, Georgia; and her most recent play, Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous.

A woman in a traditional garb stands outside facing an audience.

“The Ills We Do, Their Ills Instruct Us So”: Indigenous Futurism at the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival

Robert

Hubbard

Essay

“The Ills We Do, Their Ills Instruct Us So”: Indigenous Futurism at the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival

25 July 2022

Robert Hubbard discusses the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival production of Othello, which Tara Moses adapted and directed through an Indigenous Futurist lens. The resulting production employed its Shakespearean source text to model solidarity between Tribal Sovereignty and Black Liberation movements.

When and Where We Enter: Black Feminist Theatre

Podcast

When and Where We Enter: Black Feminist Theatre

20 July 2022

In this episode, Leticia and Jordan finally explain what they mean when they say Black feminism, especially in theatre and performance. They engage Lisa M. Anderson’s tenets of Black feminist drama, alongside other contemporary scholars and artists expansion of Black feminist theatre. They discuss Black feminist theory, black feminist practice in creative work, and black feminist theatre theory.

A Soft Place To Land: James Ijames' Fat Ham

Podcast

A Soft Place To Land: James Ijames' Fat Ham

13 July 2022

This episode focuses on the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner, Fat Ham by James Ijames. Leticia and Jordan discuss the recent production at the Public Theater, its conversation and diversion from Shakespeare, representations of Black queerness, and what it means to be soft as a black person.

Working Her Own Tune: Revisiting the Life, Legacy, and Work of Micki Grant

Podcast

Working Her Own Tune: Revisiting the Life, Legacy, and Work of Micki Grant

6 July 2022

This episode honors the life and work of composer, writer, and performer Micki Grant, who passed away in August 2021. Grant was the first Black woman to write and compose a musical that made it to Broadway, and she is also the subject of Jordan's dissertation.

Creating a Space for Black Theatre Audiences

Podcast

Creating a Space for Black Theatre Audiences

With Addae Moon

29 June 2022

This episode is an interview with Addae Moon, the associate artistic director at Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta, Georgia. We discuss his journey as a theatre artist; his playwright development lab, Hush Harbor Lab; and his own artistry and creativity.

Singin' a Black Girl's Song- Ntozake Shange and for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf

Podcast

Singin' a Black Girl's Song- Ntozake Shange and for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf

22 June 2022

This episode explores the recent revival of Ntozake Shange’s for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf, directed and choreographed by Camille A. Brown. Hosts Leticia Ridley and Jordan Ealey contextualize the production, its ongoing relevance and legacy, and its resonance in Black feminist theatre, dance, and performance.

2022 TCG Conference in Pittsburgh event poster.

2022 TCG National Conference: Pittsburgh

TCG

Video

2022 TCG National Conference: Pittsburgh

Redefining Our Art. Transforming Our Practices. Tending to Our People.

Thursday 16 June to Saturday 18 June 2022

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) presented the 2022 TCG National Conference: Pittsburgh livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network from Thursday 16 June to Saturday 18 June 2022.

event poster for deaf woke with tanesha and tanya ausby.

Livestreaming a Conversation: #DeafWoke with Tanya and Tanesha Ausby

Urban Jazz Dance Company

Video

Livestreaming a Conversation: #DeafWoke with Tanya and Tanesha Ausby

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

Tuesday 14 June 2022

United States

Antoine Hunter presents #DeafWoke with Tanya and Tanesha Ausby livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Tuesday 14 June 2022 at 5 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 7 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 8 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

#DeafWoke with John Autry II

Urban Jazz Dance Company

Video

#DeafWoke with John Autry II

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

Friday 20 May 2022

United States

Antoine Hunter presents #DeafWoke with John Autry II livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Friday 20 May 2022 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 Corpo Quebrada and Ecopoetics of the Commons / O Corpo Quebrada e as Ecopoéticas dos Comuns

Adilson

Siqueira

Essay

The Corpo Quebrada and Ecopoetics of the Commons / O Corpo Quebrada e as Ecopoéticas dos Comuns

22 April 2022

Gabriel Augusto Liparini Queiroz sits down with Adilson Siqueira, Aneliza Rodrigues Prado, and Patrick Veniali da Silva to discuss their work at the Laboratory of Ecopoetics (ECOLAB) at the Federal University of São João del-Rei. They share their research on the concept of the corpo quebrada—literally the “bent body”—which responds to ecological crisis by embodying resilience and flexibility.

Four people kneeling around bowls of water.

Teatro Preto do Candomblé’: The Art of Eco-Reconnection

Onisajé

Essay

Teatro Preto do Candomblé’: The Art of Eco-Reconnection

21 April 2022

Onisajé shares the creative process of Teatro Preto do Candomblé, which trains actors using the rituals and liturgy of Candomblé as a method of actor training. Through immersion in this African diasporic religion, Teatro Preto do Candomblé’s methods center reciprocal relationships with the environment and activate individuals’ connection to their Blackness.

Event poster for deaf woke with Kimberly Snipe.

Livestreaming a Conversation: #DeafWoke with Kimberly Snipe

Urban Jazz Dance Company

Video

Livestreaming a Conversation: #DeafWoke with Kimberly Snipe

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

Saturday 16 April 2022

United States

Antoine Hunter presents #DeafWoke with Kimberly Snipe livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Saturday 16 April 2022 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

#DeafWoke with JC Smith

Urban Jazz Dance Company

Video

#DeafWoke with JC Smith

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

Thursday 14 April 2022

United States

Antoine Hunter presents #DeafWoke with JC Smith livestreamed on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Thursday 14 March 2022 at 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 7 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

#DeafWoke with Ms. Melisha "Mimi" Battle

Urban Jazz Dance Company

Video

#DeafWoke with Ms. Melisha "Mimi" Battle

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

Thursday 7 April 2022

United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with Ms. Melisha "Mimi" Battle livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Thursday 7 April 2022 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 talleres for dreaming episode 2.

An invitation to dance, cuz we free

Cara Mía Theatre

Video

An invitation to dance, cuz we free

An Artist Talk by Marguerite Angelica Monique

Tuesday 15 March 2022

United States

Cara Mía Theatre’s Mellon Playwright in Residence Virginia Grise presented Talleres for Dreaming: Episode 2 livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network on Tuesday 15 March 2022 at 4 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 6 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 7 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

#DeafWoke with Beautiful the Artist

Urban Jazz Dance Company

Video

#DeafWoke with Beautiful the Artist

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

Thursday 3 March 2022

United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with Beautiful the Artist livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Thursday 3 March 2022 at 4 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 6 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 7 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

Gender Euphoria, Episode 3: Building Black Queer Worlds Onstage and Behind the Scenes

Podcast

Gender Euphoria, Episode 3: Building Black Queer Worlds Onstage and Behind the Scenes

With Azure D. Osborne-Lee

28 February 2022

Gender Euphoria, the Podcast, host Nicolas Shannon Savard sits down with playwright Azure D. Osborne-Lee to talk about their play, Crooked Parts; building Black queer worlds onstage; and the mentorship, community-building, and production practices that go into bringing those worlds to life.

event poster for deaf woke with erin phillips.

#DeafWoke with Erin Phillips AKA DM3

Urban Jazz Dance Company

Video

#DeafWoke with Erin Phillips AKA DM3

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

Tuesday 15 February 2022

United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with Erin Phillips AKA DM3 livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Tuesday 15 February 2022 at 5 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 7 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 8 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

#DeafWoke with Khyiana Tate

Urban Jazz Dance Company

Video

#DeafWoke with Khyiana Tate

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

Saturday 12 February 2022

United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with Khyiana Tate livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Saturday 12 February 2022 at 10 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 12 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 1 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

#DeafWoke with Queen Foreverrr

Urban Jazz Dance Company

Video

#DeafWoke with Queen Foreverrr

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

Friday 11 February 2022

United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with Queen Foreverrr, Sheena Lyles livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Friday 11 February at 5 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 7 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 8 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).