Spring is upon us, and so it seems are writing deadlines. Keeping this in mind, we decided that in lieu of a March Feature, a community night might be more beneficial for … well you… the community. Playwrights bring up to 10 pages of your work (with enough copies for everyone) and Actors bring yourselves! …
Ain’t No Mo’ is an uproarious odyssey that portrays The Great Exodus of Black Americans out of a country that is plagued with injustice.
A kaleidoscope of scenes (One for each year of Obama’s presidency) lead us to the moments before, during and after this doutrageous departure.
Minutes turn into hours, hours into days, days into weeks, and weeks into…TRAGEDY. Unbreakable Soldier was inspired by the tragic story of Kalief Browder; a hero in his own right. It encompasses fictional encounters of Kalief, in real circumstances from his past up until his heartbreaking death, while daringly and un-apologetically bringing light to the mental, emotional and physical effects of being subjected to solitary confinement as a youth as well as the unjust justice system. Unbreakable Soldier…Not even death will stop his purpose.
Monday, October 3, 2016 “Su-Su” By Dr. Ofem Ajah Directed by Alex Ubokudom Seven low-level female staff of Methodist Hospital from six countries, form a su-su and all is well until their leader, a Nigerian woman, Mrs. Mercy Bassey, is slain by a rogue cop on her birthday. Her daughter is selected to succeed her …
Monday, December 12, 2016 7:00pm @ the cell In October 2006, Blackboard Founder, Garlia Jones-Ly produced “RedVolution” an HIV/AIDS Awareness Benefit Concert with her College Theatre group, Black Curtain. 10 years later, HIV/AIDS is not a forgotten disease and continues to affect Black communities. After accepting submissions from September 1 – October 31st, Blackboard Plays …
3 Features and a Community Night are what we have planned September – December 2016. Every evening begins at 7:30pm @ the cell. Suggested Donation $10 Reserve via Brown Paper Tickets or RSVP: info@blackboardplays.com Monday, September 12, 2016 “When Night Falls” By Cynthia G. Robinson Josiane Bisimwa, a Sudanese woman, falls victim to unspeakable violence …
When Night Falls by Cynthia G. Robinson
Originally developed in part with the support of Rising Circle Theater Collective at the 2016 INKtank Play Development Lab for Emerging Artists of Color.
About the play
It’s 1932 in Birmingham, Alabama at the Pratt Coal mining prison, Slope No. 12. Cheeks and Odin Dean are prisoners and Ezekiel finds bones. Maybell and Vivie Eillien are prostitutes, and Green Cottenham’s spirit comes calling. In the American South, there had to be a system created to control the newly freed black population and convict labor became that solution. This here be the Pratt Coal mines, where black men are picked up for any minimum charge like spitting, talking loud in the presence of a white woman, gambling, or just “being”. In 1932, black prison labor is free, hard, and easy. They are simply slaves given a different name.
Have Pages? Monday’s Community is for you – Playwrights – Bring 10 pages of new work / work you want to hear and Actors, bring yourselves for the opportunity to cold read new work! Monday, May 23, 2016 7:30pm @nancy manocherian’s the cell! (338 W. 23rd Street b/t 8th and 9th Avenues) $10 Suggested and …
We are pleased to feature James Anthony Tyler’s “Dolphins and Sharks” for a 2nd time!