Friday, April 30, 2010

Red Harlem Readers

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Call for African American Stories for TV

The following request was found on InkTip.com. To submit to this request you need to sign up to InkTip's Preferred E-Newsletter which costs $50/4 months. Once you become a member, InkTip will send you once a week encrypted leads from an average of six producers looking for scripts. You can find out more information by clicking the post's title.

Nasser Entertainment Group - African American Stories for TV

We are looking for completed feature-length contemporary scripts featuring African American stories for a television audience. What this means is submissions absolutely cannot have nudity or sex scenes, foul language, political or religious themes, or gore. As television MOW audiences also tend to be more female than male, stories with female leads overcoming obstacles are preferred.

Budget will not exceed $2 million. Only non-WGA writers should submit at this point in time.

Our credits include "Courage," which will be airing on May 15 on GMC, the Gospel Music Channel, which is currently available in 48 million homes. "Courage" was discovered through InkTip, as were many other television movies we've produced.

2010 AAPEX Awards Call for Plays

It's that time again to enter your best works for the annual AAPEX Awards in playwriting by emailing me INFO on a script-- NOT the actual script. If I'm intrigued, I will ask you to mail me a hard copy.
Jaz Dorsey

2009 AAPEX Awards

THE CHITTLIN THIEF (Best comedy) by Mike Oatman, resident playwright at Karamu House in Cleveland, Delicious satire about racial profiling in 21st Century America.

MRS. STREETER (Best Family Drama) by Merrill Jones of Washington DC. Irene Streeter just can't let her children go. This is the play that ran at Berkeley Black Rep for six weeks this past sring. It didn't even get a reiview. AAPEX is puttin up a second New York reading in December.

BEST POLITICAL THRILLERS : Two plays by Ben Marshall: THE BALCONY GOAT and SIMPLE MAJORITIES. Ben's work has a very interesting dramaturgical characteristic - a protagonist who is black in stories set in diversified sociological backgrounds. In GOAT the main dude is an African/American Oil Executive caught up in regime unrest in a fictitious North African country.He has a white wife, several British colleagues and a bunch of fucked up Arabs running the country. SIMPLE MAJORITIES. A young African American Senator's Aide de Camp is outed on the internet and everybody scrambles doing damage control. AAPEX has done two readings of this in New York. Set in the world of the U. S. Senate.

HOLLERLULA (Best Short Play) by Lois Wiley. Old southern lady tells story of funny funeral. AAPEX readings in Nashville and New York. Great showcase for an older actress.

PLEA BARGAIN by George Brome. Brilliant religious investigation of the family of Adam and Eve.

HANNAH ELIAS (Best Historical Drama) by award winning film maker Nathan Ross Freeman.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HARLEM (Best Dancical) by D.C. Copeland. Although this great story of African American entertainers and life during the Harlem Renaissance hasn't yet been produced for the stage, it has been optioned for film.

MADAM (Best Musical) by Adriana Rogers. Biographical musical of Madam C J Walker.

FUNNYLINGUS (Best Strange Play) by Owa. An actress onstage and a priest in the audience take the conflict between the theater and the church to a strange new place..

AAPEX
The African American Playwrights Exchange
Nashville, Tennessee

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

DC Black Theatre Festival call for plays (DC)

DC Black Theatre Festival
Open Call for Plays


Categories:
•10-Minute Plays
•One-Act Plays
•Full-length Plays

The DC Drama Department is proud to announce DC’s first Black Theatre Festival, August 1 - 8, 2010. We are looking for works in 3categories, in any genre, including plays which incorporate movement, dance, and music. Playwrights of all skill levels are encouraged to submit. A cash award will be given to the winning playwrights for both the 10-minute and One-Act Plays. All chosen Full-length Plays are supported by the festival where100% of the ticket sales going directly to the performing group.

Guidelines:
•10-Minute Plays: Running time MUST NOT exceed 10 minutes in length and run AT LEAST 5 minutes.

•One Act Plays: Running time MUST NOT exceed 30 minutes in length and run AT LEAST 15 minutes.

•Full-length Plays: Running time MUST NOT exceed 2.5 hours in length and run AT LEAST 60 minutes.

Please submit the following:
1. The playwright's bio and contact information. Title page must include name, address, phone number and e-mail address.

2. A short synopsis of the play.
3. A complete script with numbered pages and a cover page.
4. There is a $25 submission fee for all submission categories.

Submissions should be emailed to the DC Black Theatre Festival at submissions@DCBTF.org. And all submission fees paid online at www.DCBTF.org. Any questions, please contact the DCBTF Staff at info@DCBTF.org

Deadline for all submissions are Monday, May 31, 2010 at 12:00 am.
Please click the post's title to visit the DC Black Theatre Festival website.

Jimmy Gary Jr. as "Charles The Wrestler" in "As You Like It" Live wrestling on stage! (NYC)

Click Image to Enlarge.
Please click post's title to visit Storm Theatre website.

Hello, Family, Friends and Colleagues,

Please come and see this wonderful cast of "As You Like It" by William Shakespeare presented by the Storm theater. All the details are attached..

Thank you for your support

--
Jimmy Gary Jr.

jimmygary.net

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

ITA Showcase 5/23 (NYC)

Please click image to enlarge.
Please click post's title to visit the ITA website.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Buy one ticket at full price, get the second one for a dollar! (New Brunswick)

Please click image to enlarge.
Please click post's title to go to Crossroads' website.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Red Harlem Readers

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

International Black Film Fest call for stage plays

Please click the post's title to submit.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

DeeWorks Live! 4pm to 7pm Today

Thanks for all your love and support - WE NEED YOU TO HELP US GROW.

How you can help:

  • Tune in to our show every Sunday from 4pm - 7pm EST - you can listen to the show no matter where you live. Log in at: www.myeliteradio.com or link to us from www.deeworkslive.com
  • Go to our websites often for updates.
  • Watch us live on ustream at www.ustream.tv/deeworkslive
  • Come to our live events - NJ Performance Lab - every other Thursday starting April 8, 2010 - www.njperformancelab.com
  • Book Sis Peeola for your next event - www.sispeeola.com
  • Advertise or become a sponsor of our show email deeworkslive@gmail.com for affordable advertising rates and information - sponsorship opportunities as low as $25.00
  • Book us to DJ/Host your next party or event with DJ DMix and Dee Spencer
  • Be sure to let us know if we can be of service to you - we cater to the independent artists, new businesses, entrepeneurs, new theatre productions, shows
  • ADD US TO YOUR PRAYER LIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Red Harlem Readers

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Stephanie Berry's THE LAST FALL opens 4/15 (New Brunswick)

Please click image to enlarge.
Please click post's title to visit Crossroads website and to buy tickets.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Mwalim-- He's everywhere! He's everywhere!

"All In My Mind" by Mwalim
Directed by Karen Maloney
The Super Slam by Another Country Productions
Monday, April 12 & Tues April 12
7:30 PM
The Factory Theatre
791 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118

"A Party at the Crossroads" Written & performed by Mwalim
Directed by Born Bi-Kim
Wednesday, April 21
6:30 PM
South Yarmouth Public Library
312 Old Main Street, S. Yarmouth, MA
FREE

"Knock and it Shall Open" part 2 of the "Among Brothers" Trilogy by Mwalim
Directed by Naheem Garcia
The PACK in Cooperation with New African Company
Saturday, April 24
1PM
William E. Reed Auditorium - Prince Hall Grand Lodge
24 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02121
617-445-1145
FREE

--
MWALIM *7)
Performing Artist, Writer, Filmmaker

http://www.myspace. com/mwalim7
http://mwalimwordlo unge.blogspot. com

Check out The Bass Mint Bros
http://www.cdbaby. com/cd/bassmintb ros

"Any artist is Picasso when standing in front of a blank canvas, until
proven otherwise."
- August Wilson

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Mike Oatman's ECLIPSE: THE WAR BETWEEN PAC AND B.I.G gets New York Times love


Michael Oatman's "Eclipse: The War Between Pac and B.I.G." and Cleveland's Karamu House, where Oatman is the playwright in residence, picks up NYT attention. You can read today's article online here and hear Mike's insightful take on Tupac's contribution to pop culture and society in the NYT video "The Hamlet of Hip-Hop" by clicking the post's title. Congratulations Mike and Terrence Spivey, Artistic Director at Karamu House.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Denise Flemming's WINTERKILL 4/12 (Harlem)

Voza Rivers/ New Heritage Theatre Group
Walker International Communications Group
In Association With
Community Works, Harlem Arts Alliance
And
International Communications Association
Present Denise Flemming's
"Winterkill"
A Command Performance
Monday APRIL 12, 2010
7:00pm

Suggested Donation - $10.00
Special Dinner Package Available

This solo performance is a powerful and riveting theatrical experience that exposes multiple personalities buried in an abusive past. Through Flemming's gripping portrayal of the characters, she reveals that the things we experience as young people truly affect us for the rest of our lives.

Winter Supper - $20
Winterkill is pleased to be partnering with Spoonbread Caterers to offer a dinner package with dinner served immediately following the show. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to enjoy a fine performance and fine dining. A discussion with the playwright Denise Flemming will be included in the dinner package.

FOR MATURE AUDIENCES
Limited Seating
For Reservations & Information
Call - 212 926-2550 x25 or 718 703 2260

The Dwyer Cultural Center
258 St. Nicholas Avenue
(Entrance on 123rd St. between
Frederick Douglass Blvd. & St. Nicholas Ave.)

This program is sponsored in part by the Department of Cultural Affairs New York City, New York City Council,
New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, New York City Council Majority Whip Inez E. Dickens, New York State Council on the Arts, and the Arlen Charitable Trust. Proud Member of the Harlem Arts Alliance and the Coalition of Theatres of Color.

To make reservations, please click the post's title.

Garlia C. Jones' STRANGER IN MY BODY 4/12 (NYC)

The Blackboard Reading Series at the cell
presents Garlia C. Jones'
Stranger in my Body
Monday, April 12th at 7:30 PM
338 W. 23rd Street
b/t 8th & 9th Ave
NYC

Followed by a 20-minute talk back.
Donations greatly appreciated.

Please click the post's title to make reservations.

Red Harlem Readers

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Mwalim's KNOCK AND IT SHALL OPEN opens 4/24 (Dorchester)

MWALIM (MJ Peters)

“Knock and it Shall Open”
To Be Presented by
The P.A.C.K. at African Lodge 459 Opening Ceremony

A new play depicting Prince Hall Masonic history by award-winning playwright Mwalim

DORCHESTER – Saturday, April 24, 2010, 1 pm, “Knock and it Shall Open” will be performed as a part of the bi-annual opening of African Lodge 459. “Knock and it Shall Open” is the second part of the “Among Brothers” trilogy.

“Among Brothers” written by Mwalim (MJ Peters), and directed by Naheem Garcia depicts Prince Hall’s efforts to organize and lead African Lodge, the first African American Freemasonic lodge in the United States, between the years 1775 and 1787, when the African Lodge physically received it’s charter from the Grand Lodge of England, establishing the lodge as African Lodge 459. The production is by The P.A.C.K. (Performing Artists Communicating Knowledge) a dramatic arts project under the collaborative direction of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Historian Committee and New African Company. This performance is free and open to the public at the William E. Reed Auditorium, 24 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02121.

“Knock and It Shall Open” explores the years of 1776 and 1777 when Hall signed and is said to have authored petitions for the abolition of slavery as well as a petition requesting the Continental Army to enlist Free Blacks as more then menial and serving class. The play features actors drawn from the membership of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge including Christopher Andrews, Eugene Bryant, Walter Taylor, John Ferrick, William Burroughs, and Dubois Marshall.

The first part of the trilogy, “Seek and Ye Shall Find” was presented during the 2008 opening of African Lodge 459, marking the first time that any part of African Lodge 459 was open to the public so that the general public could be admitted to see the play.

Mwalim (MJ Peters) is an award-winning playwright, performing artist, filmmaker and educator. He is currently the Worshipful Master of Union Lodge #4 in New Bedford, MA and the recently installed Grand Historian for the Grand Lodge as well as a tenured Associate Professor of English and African/African American Studies at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Naheem Garcia is a noted actor, director and arts educator, and is currently and Education and Community Associate for the Huntington Theatre Company.

Both are long standing members of the New African Company, New England’s oldest continuous professional Black theater company.

For more information, contact the Prince Hall Grand Lodge at 617-445-1145

"In my childhood a circumstance occurred which made an indelible impression on my mind, and laid the ground work of that enthusiasm.. ." - Nat Turner

MWALIM (MJ Peters)
Associate Professor of English & African/ African American Studies
Univ of Mass Dartmouth
285 Old Westport Rd.
N. Dartmouth, MA 02747
mpeters@umassd. edu
PH: 508-999-8304
FX: 508-999-9235

Crossroads' THE LAST FALL interview

Please click image to enlarge and click again if necessary.
To visit the website and to buy tickets, please click the post's title.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Work for Alicia Keys

Playwrights, until you sell that Broadway destined play, why not apply for this job? Who knows, you might just be what Ms. Keys is looking for. Just make sure your grammar is better than the one in the ad below (Keys possessive is Keys' not Keys's). You can apply for the job by clicking the post's title. Good luck!

Head Blogger

ATTENTION: Public Relations Rock Stars, Bloggers & Social Media Moguls! – Work for Alicia Keys!


Yes, THE Alicia Keys! This is an Opportunity of a Lifetime!


Alicia Keys’s voice has reached millions, but she needs your help to blast it into the blogosphere! If you have what it takes, you could be the Head Blogger for the new site www.IAAS.com. The goal of IAAS.com (I Am A Super Woman) is to create an online community connecting, inspiring, and broadcasting important topics related to women. You will be the main voice of the website aiming to motivate and encourage women all over the globe! This is an opportunity to turn your creative writing, blogging, and social media skills into a promising career within the Arts & Entertainment industry.


Sunday, April 4, 2010

David D. Wright's OSHUN celebrates 10th Anniversary 4/17-5/9 (Harlem)

Please click image to enlarge.

OSHUN, A YORUBA DANCE DRAMA
, written by David D. Wright and directed by Roderick Giles, is a biographical account of the female Orisa of the Ifa tradition, who represents the gamut of human emotions. Oshun's story starts from Creation, until she is confronted with the choice of sacrificing herself to save her peers and humankind. It is the depiction of an extraordinary feminine power through the ages. A must see for young and old alike.

Please click post's title to visit National Black Theatre website.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

C.V. Rhodes' GRANDMOTHERS, INCORPORATED 4/30 (NYC)

Billie Holiday Theatre
1368 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216

Please click post's title to buy tickets.

Bernardo Solano's LANGSTON & NICOLAS 4/2 (LA)

Towne Street Theatre
LA's Premiere African American Theatre Company
presents
the World Premiere of a New Play
by Bernardo Solano

LANGSTON & NICOLAS

Told through poetry, music and dance, LANGSTON & NICOLAS explores the friendship between iconic African American poet Langston Hughes and Afro-Cuban poet laureate Nicolas Guillen. Written by Bernardo Solano and co-commissioned by Towne Street Theatre and the Robey Theatre Company, LANGSTON & NICOLAS is the story of two men, two countries, two dreams and one enduring friendship.

LANGSTON & NICOLAS will open Friday, April 9th and continue through Sunday, May 2nd. There will also be three half-priced previews - Fri 4/2, Sat 4/3, and Thu 4/8. All performances are at the Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., (corner of Hollywood & Highland) Los Angeles, California 90028. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, and Sundays at 3:00 PM.

Conceived and directed by Towne Street Theatre Artistic Director, Nancy Cheryll Davis, this production of LANGSTON & NICOLAS is made possible in part by funding from The Ford Foundation and the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.

Tickets for LANGSTON & NICOLAS can be purchased online at their website (click post's title to take you there). Regular tickets are $25.00, with discounts for seniors, students, and union members with ID. For additional information, email Towne Street Theatre at info@townestreet. org or call (213) 624-4796.

SYNOPSIS
Havana, 1930. Young journalist Nicolas Guillen harbors dreams of becoming a poet. Langston Hughes visits Havana in search of a composer for a new opera. After Nicolas interviews Langston for a local newspaper, the two men inimitably bond. Langston's keen interest in black Cuban life impresses Nicolas, who guides him to a vibrant Afro-Cuban club; allowing a glimpse of Cuba never experienced by an average tourist. Their meeting also empowers Nicolas - perhaps he can speak for black Cuba the same way that Langston is speaking for black America?

After Langston leaves Cuba, their profound connection is kept alive through letters. Nicolas is inspired to write poetry marrying the vernacular of contemporary black Cuba with the native musical style of Son (mirroring Langston's poetic mesh of African American vernacular and Blues music). The play explores their friendship over the next thirty years - covering the Spanish War, the Cuban Revolution, and the Civil Rights movement - to Langston's death in 1967. As with all friendships, theirs is a tapestry woven of joy, conflict, and demands from each other - some that are met, some that are not.

Blackboard Reading Series at the cell 4/12 (NYC)

STRANGER IN MY BODY
by Garlia Cornelia Jones
directed by Mason Beggs
Struggling with her own religion and sexuality, Jacqueline must negotiate her relationship with Abia, a male-identified female, as he decides whether or not to begin the process of physically becoming a man.
Chaelon Costello as ABIA
LaChrisha Brown as JACQUELINE
Ché Lyons as EDEN
Kiel Perry as KEON
Ema Lakovic as DR. TERRY

Reading followed by a 20 minute talkback Donations Greatly Appreciated.

RSVP : blackboardreadingseries@gmail.com

Please click post's title to go to the Blackboard website.