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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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).

headshots of francis phiri, antoine hunter, and event info.
#DeafWoke with Francis Phiri
Video

#DeafWoke with Francis Phiri

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

Thursday 6 May 2021
United States

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

An illustration of two Black people with different hairstyles and outfits, surrounded by clouds and suns, against an orange and blue background.
Speculating Black Queer Futures
Essay

Speculating Black Queer Futures

27 April 2021

JD Stokely and Nkenna Akunna speculate about what a Black queer future looks like, speaking to sleep and rest, spirit, cyclical time, and more.

deaf woke flyer.
#DeafWoke with Alexandria Wailes
Video

#DeafWoke with Alexandria Wailes

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

Thursday 22 April 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with Alexandria Wailes livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 22 April at 4 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 6 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 7 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5). Guest to be announced.

event poster for deaf woke with artist headshots and text.
#DeafWoke with Christopher Smith
Video

#DeafWoke with Christopher Smith

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

Tuesday 13 April 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with Christopher Smith livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 13 April at 4 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 6 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 7 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

Image of an adult and child standing on a stage with recording equipment.
Why Are There No Great Kids of Color in the Performing Arts?
Essay

Why Are There No Great Kids of Color in the Performing Arts?

A Black Artist and Arts Educator’s Exploration on Challenges for Kids of Color in Arts Spaces

12 April 2021

Ilasiea Gray looks at the many challenges kids of color face in the performing arts, including access and exposure, the lack of educators of color, and more.

a black rectangle with the text: Antoine hunter presents: #DeafWoke
#DeafWoke with Armani Lawrence
Video

#DeafWoke with Armani Lawrence

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

Thursday 8 April 2021
United States

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

Kamilah Forbes portrait.
Imagining a Way Forward
Essay

Imagining a Way Forward

Discussions on Theatre and Race

30 March 2021

Kamilah Forbes, artistic director of the Apollo Theater, speaks with Wes Jackson and P. Carl about the American theatre being a very slow-moving ship, genre-crossing for artists and organizations, systemic racism in the field, and more.

text "the jazz equation" over sheet music.
The Jazz Equation
Video

The Jazz Equation

A young and gifted math teacher receives a special request to teach a teenage prodigy

Saturday 27 March 2021
United States

Ambiance Theatre Company presented a performance of The Jazz Equation livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network howlround.tv on Saturday 27 March 2021 at 5:30 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 7:30 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 8:30 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

portraits of artists with yellow event detail text.
#DeafWoke with CJ Jones
Video

#DeafWoke with CJ Jones

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

Thursday 18 March 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with CJ Jones livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 18 March at 4:05 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 6:05 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 7:05 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5). Guest to be announced.

silhouette of two people embracing, with a red and purple starry background.
Confessions of a Black Intimacy Director with Dr. Ayshia
Video

Confessions of a Black Intimacy Director with Dr. Ayshia

A talk on Black sex, Black bodies, and Black love led by Dr. Ayshia Stephenson

Monday 15 March 2021
United States

Dr. Ayshia Mackie-Stephenson presented Confessions of a Black Intimacy Director with Dr. Ayshia livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 15 March 2021 at 3 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 5 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 6 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

portraits of antoine hunter purple fire crow and of katrina rahman stephens with text event details.
#DeafWoke with Katrina Rahman-Stephens
Video

#DeafWoke with Katrina Rahman-Stephens

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

Thursday 11 March 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presented #DeafWoke with Katrina Rahman-Stephens livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 11 March at 4 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 6 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 7 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5). Guest to be announced.

zoom video chat of several people
Using Critical Fabulation for History-Based Playwriting
Essay

Using Critical Fabulation for History-Based Playwriting

3 March 2021

Holly Derr and Calley N. Anderson sit down to talk about how Calley adopted historian Saidiya Hartman’s theory of critical fabulation when writing her new play The Story and the Teller about the effect of the Memphis yellow fever epidemic of 1878 on African Americans and immigrants.