Building on a multi-year initiative to catalyze growth and permanence for Black theaters across the nation, this dynamic salon tackles the issues facing us all in reimagining the future of American theater as a space for bold artistic expression and social change. Through conversations and fireside chats, interventions, and workshops, the event manifests the vision and voices of Black theater makers, with innovative approaches to storytelling, amplifying diverse voices, community engagement, and institutional transformation.

This one-day happening supports the work of the most recent iteration of the Catalyst program, Catalyst: Seeding Permanence for Black Theatre and New Vanguard. Commissioned by the Ford Foundation and National Black Theatre, this paper written by Talvin Wilks will be released later this year as a full report informed by this convening by adding a synthesized analysis from the public into the larger report.

Park Avenue Armory and National Black Theatre have also co-commissioned six theatrical practitioners to author manifestos that envision bold futures for Black theater and the sector at large. The commissioned practitioners will participate in the salon and their attendance at the convening will inform their works. The commissioned artists include playwright, director and activist Ifa Bayeza; cultural strategist, artist and facilitator Sage Crump; Account Director and Head of Audience Growth at SpotCo India Haggins; theater director and Artistic Director of New York Theatre Workshop Patricia McGregor; Obie-award winning director and Artistic Director of Baltimore Center Stage Stevie Walker-Webb; and Tony Award-winning Broadway actress and producer Adrienne Warren.

Co-presented with National Black Theatre

Schedule
Subject to change. Additional participants to be announced.

Session 1: 1:00pm–2:50pm

Welcoming
Executive Artistic Director of National Black Theatre Jonathan McCrory leads the audience in a grounding breath, followed by interventions from singer-songwriter Imani Uzuri and musician, lyricist, and multidisciplinary artist Samora Pinderhughes

Opening Remarks
By Curator of Public Programming and Scholar-in-Residence at Park Avenue Armory Tavia Nyong’o and National Black Theatre CEO Sade Lythcott

Keynote Addres and Fireside Chat
Art history and policy specialist and academic and museum administrator Mary Schmidt Campbell gives a Keynote Address followed by Fireside Chat

Workshop: Ecosystem Building
With Obie award-winning actress and writer Nikkole Salter

Session 2: 3:00pm–4:45pm

Creative Offerings

Fireside Chat
Executive Producer at the Apollo Theater Kamilah Forbes in conversation with spoken word artist, writer, and cultural strategist Marc Bamuthi Joseph

Workshop: Building a Black Theatre Bill of Rights
With multi-disciplinary artist, director, and cultural strategist Ebony Noelle Golden

Session 3: 5:15pm–7:00pm

Keynote Address and Fireside Chat
Award-winning performer and playwright Jordan E. Cooper gives a Keynote Address followed by Fireside Chat with Jonathan McCrory

Closing Reception

#MakingSpaceArmory

Making Space at the Armory is made possible with support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF).

Public support is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature as well as the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council under the leadership of Speaker Adrienne Adams.

Photo: Elliott Jerome Brown Jr.

Hosted by BGG2SM X BDAC, Orisii, Yoruba for “pairs,” is an intimate, invite only, for our community to share how the menopause experiences of Black women, women-identified and gender-expansive people impact all our relationships across the diaspora.

Learn more about BGG2SM here.

Black Girl's Guide to Surviving Menopause (BGG2SM) is coming to Harlem! BGG2SM X BDAC are hosting Messages from the Menopausal Multiverse cocktail hour for our invited guests. We will have two signature complimentary drinks---The Hot Flash and the Menopausal Multiverse, snacks, and some fun take-home swag. We can’t wait to see you!

Learn more about BGG2SM here.

The Black Girl's Guide to Surviving Menopause (BGG2SM) is coming to Harlem for three events offered in collaboration with Ebony Noelle Golden of Betty's Daughter Arts Collaborative (BDAC)! On June 29, BGG2SM X BDAC are hosting a Peer Learning Dinner. This invite only event is especially designed for an intergenerational group of Black women, femmes, trans and gender-expansive creatives, artists, healers, social justice advocates and activists. The vibe will be all things healing, storytelling, and liberation. See you soon!

Learn more about BGG2SM here.

Hidden Conversations: A Day in Celebration of NBT Founder Dr. Barbara Ann Teer features appearances by:
Nona Hendryx
Mahogany L. Browne
Qween Jean
Frida Escobedo
Jerron Hermann
Ebony Noelle Golden
Awoye Timpo
nicHi douglas
Camille Bacon
Steven Fullwood

Live concert by Harlem Soapbox
Music by DJ Stormin’ Norman

Sound Commissions by:
JOJO ABOT
Holland Andrews
Aaron Marcellus
Mikaal Sulaiman
Justin Hicks

TICKETS: $35 (plus fees)

Tickets also available via phone. Contact the Box Office at (212) 933-5812, 10am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. In person Box Office hours may vary.

About the Episode: With the legacy of Weeksville, Brooklyn as a core inspiration and motivation, Jubilee 11213: The Keeping explores practices of social good, self-determination, spirituality, sensuality, and sovereignty as critical components of the Black liberation continuum discovered through Ebony’s archival research and dramaturgical field work over the last three years.  May 2023 marks the culmination of the project with a public sharing of The Keeping, a theatrical ceremony that activates the entire Weeksville campus and surrounding area. The Keeping has catalytic support from Weeksville, Creative Capital, and the Coalition of Theatres of Color, and was conceptualized, devised, and produced by Ebony Noelle Golden and Jupiter Performance Studio.

This episode will stream on Youtube.