Events and Happenings
We Were There: #TonysBlackOUT
Photo by Tristan Halstead for Broadway Black
There’s nothing better than a room full of Black people. Dressed to the nines. Having a good time.
You know what. I take that back.
There’s nothing better than a room full of Black people filled with the spirit of honor and celebration.
Broadway Black hosted its inaugural Tony Award Watch Party on Sunday June 12, 2016 at Row NYC Hotel. The event was designed with the purpose of highlighting and celebrating the achievements of #BroadwayBlack artists over the 2015-2016 season, and that we did.
We danced. We ate. We sang. Unified in the love of theatre— it’s magic and it’s inclusivity.
We said the names:
Renée Elise Goldsberry
We cheered as they took to the stage representing the hard work and determination it takes to get to The Great White Way. People from all walks of life—lovers of theatre—stepped foot on our step and repeat, with melanin shining bright, as if to repeat the affirmation #WeAreBroadwayBlack. We shouted and we praised because we were represented. We are enough. And while we gathered in the heart of New York City in tuxedos and gowns, what matters the most is that some children at home saw the casts of Shuffle Along, Hamilton, and The Color Purple perform. They saw people who look like them win. The seed was planted that there’s room for them too.
That thought leaves me full.
We are truly humbled to be part of this community. It brings us joy to highlight the achievements of African-Americans on and off Broadway. We are grateful for the love and support we receive.
Out of the 7 decades of honoring the best of Broadway, this season stands out as historic. 18 #BroadwayBlack nominations. Eighteen. Wow.
We’re constantly reminded how lucky we are to be alive right now. Let’s hope and strive for the day diversity is no longer the problem, but the norm. We’ll be here, filling you in show by show.
Did you attend The Black Out Party? We’d love for you to send in any photos, stories, or feedback. See you next year!
See some of our favorites tweets and pictures from The Black Out party below! Thanks to all who came out to celebrate with us, especially our friends from Shuffle Along, The Color Purple, & Matilda The Musical.
I snapchatted my employees the @BroadwayBlack #TonysBlackOUT viewing all night. Today they were like, “last night was lit or nah?”
— sara baker-carraway (@Yay_Its_Sara) June 14, 2016
The Crew #TonysBlackOUT party. Love my peeps. LOVE theater!!! @TheTonyAwards #TonysSoDiverse pic.twitter.com/ycV030Jg0G
— Kaliswa Brewster (@kaliswa) June 13, 2016
Yay!!! @broadwayblack‘s #TonysBlackOUT party was a Twitter moment! ⚡️ “Modern Broadway makes the Tonys so diverse”https://t.co/LSc6DNmQaE
— Mr. Shade (@DrewShade) June 13, 2016
Black people SLAYED. Proving we’re just as talented & should be recognized for our unflinching greatness ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾 #TonyAwards #TonysBlackOUT
— Amber Dawn Mitchell (@HollaBlackGirl) June 13, 2016
So much fun with my folks tonight! @BroadwayBlack party! #TonysBlackOUT #TonyAwards #actors #melanin 😁 pic.twitter.com/UhvAQfj0Cv
— Lakisha May (@kisha_may) June 13, 2016
Photos by Tristan Halstead for Broadway Black
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.