Songs of the Harlem River

Forgotten One Acts of the Harlem Renaissance
Presented by BlackCAST
Short plays written by Ralf M. Coleman, Willis Richardson, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Marita Bonner, and Eulalie Spence
Directed by Darius Johnson ‘18
Produced by Brandi Moore ’19, Humphrey Obuobi ’18, and Kelcee Everette ‘18

PERFORMANCE DATES

Loeb Ex

Saturday, October 1 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 2 at 2:00 PM
Thursday, October 6 at 7:00 PM
Friday, October 7 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 8 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 8 at 7:00 PM

Run time: 1 hour, 30 minutes with no intermission.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Songs of the Harlem River is an adapted performance that combines 5 short one-scene plays from the Harlem Renaissance which cover a diversity of social topics from the era that we believe are important currently. For example, Deacon’s Awakening tells the story of two young Black women who face paternal admonishment for joining a Women’s Suffrage group during the dawn of the 19th amendment. The Girl from Back Home explores the dynamic intersections of disappointment, marriage, and polygamy through the relationship between a Black woman who wants to value marriage and a Black man who struggles to accept that same desire in himself. Other themes include institutionalized Black death, misogynoir, and mental/physical health in the Black Community. Our hope is that these shorts plays, in combination, will provide a holistic lens through which students and community can further appreciate the role of Black Culture in forming the Harlem Renaissance, and also see how this art helps us to interrogate our own contemporary views, biases, and cultures.

Email [email protected] to reserve your tickets.

PRODUCTION STAFF

Director … Darius Johnson '18
Assistant Director … Kristina Neal
Co-Producer … Kelcee Everette, Brandi Moore, Humphrey Obuobi
Stage Manager … Hakeem Angulu
Assistant Stage Manager … Inaara Shiraz
Tech Director … Sabrina Yates
Assistant Tech Director … Genesis De Los Santos
Costume Designer … Aislinn Brophy '17
Set Designer … Madison Johnson
Sound Designer … Eunice Mwabe
Co-light Designer … Abby Duker, Cole Edick
Lighting Advisor … Eliza Mantz '18
Props Manager … Peryn Reeves-Darby '18
Hair … Desmond Green
Makeup … Desmond Green

CAST

"Jazz" Barrett … Bryant Huggins
Della Harvey … Kelcee Everette
Dr. Lee Minor … Lethu Ntshinga
Martha … Lethu Ntshinga
Deacon Jones … Bryant Huggins
Ruth … Madison Trice '21
Eva … Kelcee Everette
Sol … Caleb Lewis
Pauline … Lethu Ntshinga
Rebecca … Madison Trice '21
Dr. Grey … Nicholas Whittaker
Hester … Kelcee Everette
Dot … Nicholas Whittaker
Buddy … Caleb Lewis
Exit Man … Bryant Huggins
TJ Kelly … Bryant Huggins
Georgia … Madison Trice '21
First Woman … Kelcee Everette
Second Woman … Lethu Ntshinga