African American Theatre Festival

Our Place Theatre Project presents the African American Theatre Festival, a celebration of works by and about people; their needs, hurts, desires, triumphs, fears, and, most importantly, their love and its survival from the 1960’s to today.

Schedule of Events:

Spunk: Three Tales by Zora Neale Hurston, adapted by George C. Wolfe
January 20, 22, 26, & 29 @ 7:30 PM and January 30 @ 3:00 PM

Hurston’s evocative prose and Wolfe’s unique theatrical style blend to create an evening of theater that celebrates the human spirit’s ability to overcome and endure. Utilizing the blues, choral narrative, and dance, the three tales focus on men and women trapped inside the “Laughin’ kind of lovin’ kind of hurtin’ kind of pain that comes from being human.” The first of the three tales, “Sweat” tells the story of a young washerwoman who is abused and betrayed by her estranged husband, and of her ultimate triumph over him. The second piece, “Story in Harlem Slang,” is told in 1940’s Harlemese. It is the story of two street lotharios trying to out-hustle each other and win the favor of – and a meal from – a domestic on her pay day afternoon off. The third tale, “The Gilded Six Bits,” is a bittersweet story of an adoring husband’s betrayal by his loving but innocent wife.

Ascension by Cynthia G. Robinson
January 19, 25, & 28 @ 7:30 PM and January 23 @ 3:00 PM

In the world premeire of Cynthia Robinson’s Ascension, two slaves’s impending marriage is haunted by the woman’s relationship with the master of the plantation. These courageous souls struggle to resist exploitation, love each other and survive in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Those That Came Before
January 18, 21, 27 @ 7:30 PM

Presenting works by Ed Bullins:
Clara’s Ole Man
A Son Come Home
How Do Yo Do

New Works
January 22 & 29 @ 2:00 PM

Short plays about Love, Loss, Betrayal, Wisdom, Courage, Racism, Mental and Physical Health, including:
Soul Psalms (Poetic Interludes) by U-Meleni
The Edge Of Blue Light (excerpt) by Angela Counts
A Woman’s Cry by Nicole Parker
The Place We Met by Frank A Shefton
Split by Stephanie Marson-Lee
Twilight Time by Mary M. McCullough
Miss Betty Lee In Her Hour Of Need by Amy Merrill