In March 2018, National Black Theatre, in partnership with the Harlem Stage and Carnegie Hall will present "Mothers of the Movements," [MOMS] a celebration of the contribution of Black women pioneers from the Civil Rights and Black Arts movements. "Mothers of the Movements" is a two-part series that will take place in both Harlem-based institutions. 

 

National Black Theatre will present "The Black Woman: She Does Exist," an evening of newly commissioned work that was inspired and in response to seminal texts written by Black women artists and activists of the 60's such as Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, Ella Baker, and the women of SNCC. These new works are being created by the next generation of vital Black women voices; writers Mfoniso Udofia, Chisa Hutchinson, Ebony Noelle Golden and ensemble. Seeking to strengthen the bonds between past and present, and in addition to the newly commissioned work, NBT has gathered pioneering Black women legends of the theater community to perform the original texts.

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Legacy Work: 
The Black Woman: She Does Exist” by Dr. Barabar Ann Teer

Read by Michele Shay 
 

“Address at the Hattiesburg Freedom Day Rally” by Ella Baker

Read by Elizabeth Van Dyke

 

"SNCC Position Paper” by Anonymous Women 

Read by Lynda Gravatt

 

Next Generation Work:
“Gaze This” by Chisa Hutchinson
(Inspired by The Black Woman: She Does Exist)
Performed by Joniece Abbott Pratt

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“A Birthday Homily” by Mfoniso Udofia’s 
(Inspired by Address at the Hattiesburg Freedom Day Rally)
Performed by Chelsea D. Harrison

Performing Mfoniso Udofia’s “A Birthday Homily”

"wash'd//" conceived by: Ebony Noelle Golden
(Inspired by SNCC Position Paper)
Ensemble: Audrey Hailes, Jaime Dzandu, and Vesta Walker
Sound Design by Petra Valoma.