48th Season
In Pursuit Of
Black Joy!
THEATER ARTS PROGRAM
MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS:
October 19 - November 20, 2016
Opening Night October 22
WORLD PREMIERE of
SWEET
written by Harrison David Rivers
directed by Raelle Myrick-Hodges
Retha and Nina Baker have always been close—folding laundry together, chasing fireflires together, and enduring the summer heat together. But when their mother dies unexpectedly and their neighbor, George, returns home from college, the sisters’ relationship begins to fray and long-held desires threaten to tear them apart. Set on the outskirts of an all-black town in rural Kansas, SWEET is a coming of age story about the sacrifices we make to hold on to the ones we love.
May 31 - June 25, 2017
Opening Night June 3
WORLD PREMIERE
Kill Move Paradise
written by James Ijames
directed by Saheem Ali
Set in an unearthly place, “Kill Move Paradise” follows Isa, Daz, Grif and Tiny as they try to make sense of their new paradise while confronting the reality of their past in the world they have been ripped from. “Kill Move Paradise” takes the Elysium of Greek antiquity and flips the script. Inspired by recent events, “Kill Move Paradise” is an expressionistic buzz saw through the contemporary myth that "all lives matter.” It is a portrait of the slain, not as degenerates who deserved death but as heroes who demand that we see them for the splendid beings they are.
WORKSHOP PRODUCTION:
February 8 - 12, 2017
MANHOOD
written by Dennis A. Allen II
directed by Russell G. Jones
Silence Manning is the epitome of " a man's man"; a fitness guru, youtube sensation, and trainer to some of Hollywood's biggest stars. His wife Ebony is a world renowned plastic surgeon and his friend and overzealous manager Virgil is dedicated to keeping the money flowing in. A visit from a strange woman in a mask and a tragic event forces Silence and Ebony to confront what it mean's to be a man in a world that values and celebrates manhood.
This play is being developed through the I Am Soul - Playwright Residency Program.
April 26 - 30, 2017
A SUCKER EMCEE
Written and performed by
Craig 'muMs' Grant
Directed by Jenny Koons
Music by Rich Medina
​
Infused with hip-hop, slam poetry and personal recollections, this one-man show charts the ups and downs of muMs’ incredible journey, from growing up in the Bronx to starring on one of HBO’s biggest shows. A life set against the backdrop of the birth of hip-hop, this is the story of a man looking for his spotlight and finding it in the most unlikely of places.
Year-Round Programs:
I Am Soul - Playwright Residency
In celebration of almost a half a century of nurturing Black playwrights, National Black Theatre is proud to announce the continuation of this program to support two Black playwrights: Angelica Chéri and Derek Lee McPhatter. Through the program, playwrights will be supported in developing a new play during a eighteen (18) month residency, which will culminate in a Workshop Production in NBT’s 49th Season. For more information please Click Here.
Keep Soul Alive Mondays–Reading Series
Start Date: September 12, 2016
The Keep Soul Alive Mondays - Reading Series is a monthly reading series that will showcase the works of nineteen (20) Black Playwrights within our 48th Season. The readings take place on Mondays at 7:30 pm at National Black Theatre. Each reading is free with a suggested donation of $10. To learn more information please look on our website.
COMMUNICATION ARTS PROGRAM
Year-Round Program:
Dramaturgical Lobby Exhibitions
Symposiums:
A Celebration Dedicated to Our Founder
The Ninth Annual TEER Spirit Awards Gala will recognizes 49 years NBT has impacted this community, while honoring visionaties within the community that exemplify the attributes of three pioneers within National Black Theatre’s history: Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, NBT’s Founder & Visionary, Adetunde Samuel, a charismatic producer who headed NBT’s award winning Theatre Arts Program, and Fredrica L. Teer, an institution builder who conceived and organized the foundation that made the idea of National Black Theatre a reality. Outside of these awards, National Black Theatre honors a Pioneer of Black Theatre and gives Trail Blazer to individuals for outstanding contributions to their community. The Teer Spirit Awards was inaugurated in 2008 after the passing of Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, the founder of the National Black Theatre. June 18th is the birth date of Dr. Barbara Ann Teer and is called Founder’s Day.
March 31, 2017
#BlackGirl Magic:
The Complexity Of Your Smile.
This was a one-night special theatrical event. It is a celebration of Black women and all of the magic we possess. Through performance art, the evening will explore and encourage dialogue around the many complex ways in which we use our magic to heal, create joy, and rise through times of adversity. The event will also shows the black women owned businesses.
This was the culminating project for Soul Producing Fellow Marie Cisco.
Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's
National Black Theatre
Institute of Action Arts