PAST PERFORMANCES
Revive your old theatre memories! Visit our previous seasons.
2012-2013
The Resurrection of Alice
October 19 – December 16, 2012
Written and performed by Perri Gaffney
Directed by Jackie Alexander
Arranged marriages are practiced among many cultures around the world. But surprisingly, through the mid 20th century, young black girls in the United States sometimes found themselves in arranged marriages to men who were usually pillars of the community and financially comfortable, but old enough to be their grandfathers.
Finding Home
March 2 – March 31, 2013
Written by Keline Adams
Directed by Jackie Alexander
Featuring:
Suzanne Darrell • Brittany Erin • Sidiki Fofana
Marcelle Gover • Azariah Gunn
With the walls of their Brooklyn apartment closing in on them, Ella and her daughter Sunny seek solace in a spur of the moment trip down South to visit Sylvia, the woman who raised Ella. But when buried truths began to surface, all hell breaks loose, and it quickly becomes clear that this dysfunctional family’s only hope for reaching a place of peace rests on their ability to face hard, painful realities, both past and present. Will this family sink or swim? Will these women have the courage to begin a journey toward truly finding home?
The Obeah Symphony
May 3 – June 30, 2013
Written by Kesi Foster and Jackie Alexander
Directed by Jackie Alexander
Featuring:
Ito Aghayere • B. Douglas Jones
Marcelle Gover • Patrick J. Mitchell
Haunted by the pressure of his past, a bleak future, and impending fatherhood, aspiring musician Dizzy King seeks the advice of his grandfather. Revealed is the obeah curse that has hovered over the King family like a black cloud, trailing them from the white sand beaches of Barbados to the streets of Harlem. Terrified of following in his father’s footsteps, Dizzy believes the only way he can save his family is to break the curse.
2011-2012
The Waiting Room
October 20 – December 18, 2011
by Samm-Art Williams
Directed by Jackie Alexander
Plenty of Time
February 25 – March 25 2012
by John Shevin Foster
Directed by Jackie Alexander
Women in the Pit
July 19 – August 26 2012
Written and Directed
by Joyce Sylvester
2010-2011
Brothers from the Bottom
October 15 to December 19, 2010
Written and Directed by Jackie Alexander
Gentrification threatens a New Orleans neighborhood and the bond between brothers.
The Legend of Buster Neal
February 18 to March 27, 2011
Written and Directed by Jackie Alexander
Selected for the 2011 National Black Theatre Festival
A fearless civil rights activist reappears sixty years after his supposed death to face his greatest challenge, his great-great grandson.
The Right Reverend Dupree in Exile
April 29 to June 26, 2011
Written and Directed by Jackie Alexander
A once-powerful religious leader, haunted by feelings of betrayal, clings to his dignity with the support of his most devoted congregation — family.
2009-2010
What Would Jesus Do?
April 30 to June 28, 2009
Written and directed by Yvette Heyliger
Nominated for the 2008 NAACP Theatre Award
The story of a God-fearing family rocked to its core when the wife/mother learns that she may have been exposed to HIV by her husband. Devastated by secrets in her own home and blind-eye rejection of the problem in her community; she is inspired to take action when she asks, “What would Jesus do?”
Grandmothers, Incorporated
April 30 – June 7 2010
Written by L.Barnett Evans and C.V Rhodes
Directed by Marjorie Moon
A play that presents a hilarious take on what happens when quartet of grandmothers meet up a drug dealing thug.
2008-2009
Four Men on a Couch
October 24, 2008
Written by Anne L. Thompson-Scretching
Directed by Avan
Four Men on a Couch is a comedy-drama about three friends dumped by their girlfriends – on the same night – who arrive on the doorstep of another friend whose wife has recently left him with three chairs, a table and a couch.
‘Twas the Night Before Kwanzaa
December 27, 2008
Written by Carl Clay
Directed by Passion
‘Twas the Night Before Kwanzaa is a holiday fantasy for the entire family about three newly hired African-American elves who convince Santa Claus to change his travel route so they all end up in Kwanzaaland. Funny, educational and highly entertaining!
The High Priestess of Dark Alley
February 19, 2009
Written and Directed by Jackie Alexander
Two sisters, one robbed of her sexuality, the other defined by it, do battle with their domineering mother over the men they love.
2007-2008:
Sassy Mamas • Losing the Light • Birthright
2006-2007:
Steal Away • Freeda Peoples • The Desire
2005-2006:
Otis & Zora • Storm Stories • Love & Marriage & New York City
2004-2005:
A Freeman’s Hope • A Song for You…Lena • PowerPlay
PRESS ARCHIVE
- 1986 “At Brooklyn’s ‘billie,’ Black Theater Thrives.” NY Times
- 1987 “New York Race Tension is Rising Despite Gains: New York’s Racial Paradox: Amid Progress, Growing Tension.” NY Times
- 1998 “Amid Diversity Onstage, Passion’s a Mother Tongue.” NY Times
- 1997 Separatism in theater isn’t a black-and-white issue Usa Today