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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
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.