Events and Happenings
The Broadway Black Guide to Carrying Your “Wokeness” Through March
Right off the heels of the most exhausting* time to be woke for those of us blessed and basking in our best melanin lives–Black History Month–is March. March is Women’s History Month.
And today, March 8, is International Women’s Day.
Now, what is International Women’s Day? Ain’t it already Women’s History Month?
Let’s be real, raise your hand if you remembered it is Women’s History Month.
BUUUUURLEY.
Alright. It is what it is and there’s work that needs to be done to use this time to educate and elevate our stories. But hey, that’s why we’re here talking, right?
As described by the UN, International Women’s Day is “a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.”
Okay, okay, so what about this strike going on? The demonstrations?
No, the Deltas did not just leave their National Convention. The sea of red you’re seeing is for A Day Without Women. The leaders of The Women’s March have urged us to come together in economic solidarity to recognize the value that women hold, but more importantly, to acknowledge and rise against the inequality in: lower wages, discrimination, sexual harassment, and job insecurity.
A few of our Broadway Black favorites in formation.
Alright. I’ve got on my RED, what else can I do?
- Women take the day off, from paid and unpaid labor.
- Can’t take off? I get it. Me either. But educate with love, why you’re (men included) wearing red.
- Avoid shopping for one day (with exceptions for small, women- and minority-owned businesses).
Like Black history month, every day can be used to educate, love, and support the contributions Women make in the world. Here at Broadway Black we’re in the business of shinning a light on the women making noise on and off the stage.
Check out our compilation remembering and saluting women who are out here doing the dang thing!
- Hidden Figures, the official story of Black Girl Magic, and how it might come to Broadway
- Upcoming Event:Dominique Morisseau, Katori Hall, and More discuss a life in theatre
- Dreamgirls Taking Over the 2017 Olivier Nominations
- Lupita N’yongo & Danai Gurira are teaming up again on Black Panther
- Ten Contemporary Plays by Black Women
How are you celebrating International Women’s Day? Tweet us pictures of you standing in solidarity!
*Exhausting: yea, I said it, exhausting. When you have folks trying to efface the little amount of consistent and committed time dedicated to honoring the achievements of our ancestors and those who continue in their path, by moving to change the focus to the broadened “Great Americans Day,” I gotta go. Or bosses and coworkers catering fried chicken and macaroni as their only nod to our heritage. #PermanentEyeRoll Or referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as if he is the only African American who walked this green earth. It is exhausting. Also, my hat is off to all of you in the trenches of Facebook comments and Twitter mentions because *in my best Drake voice* they don’t make no award for that, but y’all deserve #trophies for your commitment to education with a side of shade and tea.
Playwright Erika Dickerson-Despenza
There is limited seating left for Erika Dickerson-Despenza’s new play CULLUD WATTAH at The Public Theater. Opening today, Thursday, March 7th and running until Sunday, March 10th in the Public Studio is about three generations of Black women living through the current water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
“It’s been 936 days since Marion’s family has had clean water. When local activists file a class action lawsuit against the city, Marion—a third-generation employee at General Motors—must decide how best to support her two daughters, sister, and mother while lead seeps into the community, their home, and their bodies. As corrosive memories and secrets rise among them, the family wonders if they’ll ever be able to filter out the truth.”
2018 Relentless Award Semifinalist and poet-playwright makes her Public Theater debut with CULLUD WATTAH directed by Lilly Award winner Candis C. Jones; the cast includes Deonna Bouye (Marion), Alana Raquel Bowers (Reesee), Caroline Stefanie Clay (Big Ma), Nikiya Mathis (Ainee), and Kara Young (Plum).
The creative team includes Production Stage Manager Gregory Fletcher, Stage Manager Priscilla Villanueva, and Movement Director Adesola Osakalumi. Along with scenic design by Arnulfo Maldonado, Costume Design by Ntokozo Fuzunina Kunene, lighting Design by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, and sound design by Megan Culley
We believe in this work so much we’re giving away 4 tickets to the performances on March 10th. 2 tickets to the matinee and two the evening performance thanks to our founder Drew Shade and actress/playwright Jocelyn Bioh. Go to our Instagram to find out how!
Also, find out more about how you can help the Flint Water Crisis and support this show HERE.
Listen to Erika talk about her work on an episode of Off Book Podcast below
Performances begin today, Tuesday February 26th, for the New York premiere of Surely Goodness and Mercy, presented by Keen Company. A story about an exceptional boy living a troubled life in Newark, NJ who does a good deed for an often unnoticed person. Sarita Covington, Jay Mazyck, Brenda Pressley, Courtney Thomas, and Cezar Williams star under Jessi D. Hill’s direction.
Set in an under-funded public school in Newark, Surely Goodness and Mercy by rising playwright Chisa Hutchinson, tells the story of a bible-toting boy with a photographic memory who befriends the cantankerous old lunch lady. Against all odds, Tino and Bernadette help each other through the mess of growing up and growing old.
Surely Goodness and Mercy has spent the last year charming audiences across the country: “Notably absent from Hutchinson’s frank and sobering story: cynicism” – Chicago Reader; “(Surely Goodness and Mercy has) a soul-stirring quality, touching audiences with its sincerity” – Daily Utah Chronicle; “it’s impossible not to like it” – The Salt Lake Tribune. Now, Keen is honored to bring this big-hearted new play to New York for the first time.
Performances for this limited Off-Broadway engagement of Surely Goodness and Mercy will continue through Saturday, April 13th only, with opening night set for Wednesday, March 13th.