Eugene Lang College Theater Program Presents The Revolution Will Be Dramatized: Black Theater Now Conversation Series
The writer Toni Cade Bambara famously claimed that “the role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible.” Investigating the relationship between theater and social justice is a core element of the Theater program at Eugene Lang College and is at the heart of a new public conversation series—The Revolution Will Be Dramatized: Black Theater Now. Through discussions with renowned Black artists, the series explores the relationship between Black theater and Black activism. Attendees will examine the ways in which theater, and the arts more broadly, matter to the work of social justice.
“The Black Theater Now series provides unprecedented direct access to high profile black artists and theater professionals whose work is aligned with progressive values,” says Frank Leon Roberts, an Assistant Professor of Theater and organizer of the series. “Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Tony Award winners, actors and playwrights who are currently on Broadway, Artistic Directors of large black theater companies, and New School alums who are currently making waves in television and theater, among other guests.”
Theater, since its origin thousands of years ago, has been used to explore the pressing issues of the day. “The pandemic allowed Americans writ large to reflect on our values and think about what needs to change in our country—and in our world. During the pandemic (which coincided with the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor protests), theater professionals have been challenged to think about the ways in which the world of American theater must become more equitable and social justice-oriented. The Revolution Will be Dramatized: Black Theater Now is The New School’s attempt to meet this challenge,” says Roberts.
The reopening of theaters in New York since the pandemic-induced hiatus has seen a boom in the number of Black theater productions, including the first show to return, Pass Over. “Over the course of the past several years, in the wake of the movement for Black lives, America has witnessed a renaissance of Black theater and the performing arts,” says Roberts. “There are currently seven Black plays on Broadway—a first in American theater history. This series allows participants to have direct access to some of the voices responsible for this renaissance.”
NOVEMBER SCHEDULE
All events are 4pm to 5pm EST and are open to the public via webinar format and require registration.
Drew Shade, Founder of Broadway Black and Creator of “The Antoyno Awards”
November 1
Drew Shade is a theater enthusiast who fosters artistic diversity and excellence for the love of Black theater artists. He is the founder, creative director, and editor-in-chief of the digital platform Broadway Black, and creator and co-host of the Off-Book podcast, which both spotlight the excellence of people of color in the Broadway community. He’s also the creator and executive producer of The Antonyo Awards, an award show that celebrates Black artists in theater.
Jordan Cooper, BFA Dramatic Arts ’18, Playwright and Creator of “Ain’t No Mo” and “The Miss Pat Show”
November 3
Jordan E. Cooper, BFA Dramatic Arts ’18, is an award-winning performer and playwright who was recently selected one of OUT Magazine’s “Entertainers of The Year.” He starred in his play Ain’t No Mo,’ which was a New York Times Critics Pick. His pandemic-centered short film, Mama Got a Cough was featured in National Geographic and was named ‘Best of 2020’ by The New York Times. He’s also the creator and executive producer of The Ms. Pat Show on BET+ and had a recurring role as “Tyrone” in the final season of FX’s Pose.
Bryan Terrell Clark, Broadway Cast Member of “Hamilton” and “Thoughts of a Colored Man”
November 15
Bryan Terrell Clark is an accomplished actor and singer and songwriter who has performed in hugely successful Broadway shows and a wide range of popular television programs. In 2019, Bryan reprised his role as George Washington in the record-breaking Broadway hit Hamilton. He made his Broadway debut playing the iconic role of Marvin Gaye in Motown: The Musical, which received a 2014 Grammy Award nomination for “Best Musical Theater Album.” Bryan also starred opposite Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett in the acclaimed drama Fences at the Pasadena Playhouse. He also appeared in Ava DuVernay’s 2020 Peabody Award winning Netflix miniseries When They See Us.
Britton Smith, Special Tony Award Recipient & Founder of The Broadway Advocacy Coalition
November 17
Tony Award recipient Britton Smith is the founder of The Broadway Advocacy Coalition, which teaches students, artists, and community leaders to use storytelling and artistry to combat systemic racism. He has appeared in the Broadway productions Shuffle Along and After Midnight; and off-Broadway, in The Fortress of Solitude, Wild Goose Dreams (The Public), The Wild Party, and Cotton Club Parade (NYC Encores!). Smith is also a 2017 AEA Mountain Top Award Recipient and a 2016 New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Artist in Residence.
Antoinette Nwandu, Playwright, “Pass Over” and “Breach: a manifesto on race in america through the eyes of a black girl recovering from self-hate”
November 24
Antoinette Nwandu is a New York-based playwright who was born and raised in Los Angeles. Her New York Times Critics Pick play Pass Over was the first to open on Broadway after the pandemic shutdown. A filmed version of the play, from a production at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, was directed by Spike Lee and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. It is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Nwandu is a MacDowell Fellow, a Dramatists Guild Fellow and an Ars Nova Play Group alum. She has also received the 2018 Whiting Award, the 2017 Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, the Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award, the Negro Ensemble Company’s Douglas Turner Ward Prize, a Literary Fellowship at the Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference, and spots on the 2016 and 2017 Kilroys lists.