Podcasts about african american shakespeare company

The mission of law & disorder is to expose, agitate and build a new world where all of us can thrive. But how do we get there? How do we build a world many of us have only seen in our dreams? That's where we believe the artists come in. So, each week we feature an artist, holding down a weekly residency with us, helping us to imagine a different, more liberated world. This week's Resistance in Residence artist is L. Peter Callender, actor, writer, director, who for fifteen years was also the artistic director of the African American Shakespeare Company. Find out more about L. Peter Callender's work here: https://www.african-americanshakes.org/l-peter-callender/ — Subscribe to this podcast: https://plinkhq.com/i/1637968343?to=page Get in touch: lawanddisorder@kpfa.org Follow us on socials @LawAndDis: https://twitter.com/LawAndDis; https://www.instagram.com/lawanddis/ The post Resistance in Residence Artist: L. Peter Callender appeared first on KPFA.

Stephanie Anne Johnson is a second-generation theater practitioner. Her mother Virginia Johnson (Green) worked with The American Negro Theatre In N.Y. ​Johnson has been a lighting designer for over forty years. Nationally she has done designs for La Mama Theatre (N.Y.), Telluride Repertory Theatre (Colorado), The Arizona Repertory Theatre, The National Black Theater, and The Apollo (N.Y.). Locally, she has worked with Cultural Odyssey, Rhodessa Jones, Afro Solo, Ubuntu Theatre, African American Shakespeare Company, The Aurora Theater, Shotgun Players, The Marin Theatre Company, and many other groups. Her design work has also been seen in India, The Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Canada and France. She was awarded a Gerbode Design Fellowship in partnership with Cultural Odyssey of San Francisco in 1998. Photographs of Ms. Johnson's designs were included in the show Onstage: A Century of African American Stage Design which was presented at The N.Y. Public Library For The Performing Arts in 1995. Stephanie also has written, directed and performed in theater presentations.   Stephanie's One-Woman Show: "Every 21 Days Cancer & Yoga & Me " July 21, 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTEprQN0sRE Stephanie's Website: Light Essence Design https://www.lightessencedesign.com/?fbclid=IwAR1PRWIoov_uuprv1a3L-zGK7xARGG_yAGb3QbNs43-G1ay16pJoOjmLOxA

Rico E. Anderson has been a true Brotha to the SyFy Sistas from jump. He is always hyping us up and thanking us for the work that we love to do. So we wanted to thank him for his continued support and finally get one of our favorite humans on the show. Rico is an actor that has many credits, none of which you will hear about on this episode. Instead Tamia, Yvette and Rico talk about tap dancing, Black Studies, Marilyn Monroe & Ella Fitzgerald, being young and Black in the 90's and of course the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.  Check out Rico E. Anderson: https://www.ricoanderson.com Follow Rico on:  Twitter & IG @iamricoanderson The African American Shakespeare Company: https://www.african-americanshakes.org/ Ella Fitzgerald & Marilyn Monroe: https://www.biography.com/celebrities/marilyn-monroe-ella-fitzgerald-friendship Writer's Guild of America: https://www.wga.org/ Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists: https://www.sagaftra.org/ —- Donate to send young women ages 14-18 to the Nichelle Nichols cadet space camp June 26-29, 2024 in Huntsville, Alabama.  https://nichellenichols.foundation/donate Please support the SyFy Sistas podcast on Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/syfysistas Thank you Dena Massenburg for our dope logo: @blackbeanz70 Thank you to our sound engineer DoS, the Anonymous: @dos_theanonymous_1 You can find the SyFy Sistas and our family of podcasts on The Trek Geeks Podcast Network https://trekgeeks.com FANSETS - our pins...have character. We want to thank our friends at FanSets for being the presenting sponsor of the Trek Geeks Podcast Network. https://fansets.com ALL SYFY SISTAS INFO AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: https://linktr.ee/syfysistas

Rico E. Anderson has been a true Brotha to the SyFy Sistas from jump. He is always hyping us up and thanking us for the work that we love to do. So we wanted to thank him for his continued support and finally get one of our favorite humans on the show. Rico is an actor that has many credits, none of which you will hear about on this episode. Instead Tamia, Yvette and Rico talk about tap dancing, Black Studies, Marilyn Monroe & Ella Fitzgerald, being young and Black in the 90's and of course the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.  Check out Rico E. Anderson: https://www.ricoanderson.com Follow Rico on:  Twitter & IG @iamricoanderson The African American Shakespeare Company: https://www.african-americanshakes.org/ Ella Fitzgerald & Marilyn Monroe: https://www.biography.com/celebrities/marilyn-monroe-ella-fitzgerald-friendship Writer's Guild of America: https://www.wga.org/ Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists: https://www.sagaftra.org/ —- Donate to send young women ages 14-18 to the Nichelle Nichols cadet space camp June 26-29, 2024 in Huntsville, Alabama.  https://nichellenichols.foundation/donate Please support the SyFy Sistas podcast on Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/syfysistas Thank you Dena Massenburg for our dope logo: @blackbeanz70 Thank you to our sound engineer DoS, the Anonymous: @dos_theanonymous_1 You can find the SyFy Sistas and our family of podcasts on The Trek Geeks Podcast Network https://trekgeeks.com FANSETS - our pins...have character. We want to thank our friends at FanSets for being the presenting sponsor of the Trek Geeks Podcast Network. https://fansets.com ALL SYFY SISTAS INFO AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: https://linktr.ee/syfysistas

Norman and I welcome Fred Pitts as our next guest as The Yay enters our 7th year! Fred has been a part of many bay area companies like the African American Shakespeare Company, Palo Alto Players, the Pear Theatre, Custom Made Theatre and now has his one man show, Aren't You.. at the Marsh. Fred talks about his upbringing, his approach to theatre, his take on the state of bay area theatre today and where he sees himself in the future. Fred can be reached directly on Facebook and on Instagram: @frdpttsjr SHOWS: Aren't You… (The Marsh) April 7 – May 5 Fred Pitts' One Man Show ShawnJ West (Episode 146) directs the show https://themarsh.org/shows_and_events/marshstream/fred-pitts-arent-you/ Home (Z Space) April 5 – 29 Norman Gee & Brian Rivera (Episode 154) is in the show http://www.zspace.org/wfw-home Merrily We Roll Along (42nd Street Moon) LAST SHOW TOMORROW Lauren Jiang (Episode 245) is in the show https://42ndstmoon.org For The Love Of Music (Jarvis Conservatory) April 15 – one night only Rachel Deatherage (Episode 254) is the featured performer http://jarvisconservatory.com/calendar.html# A Midsummer Night's Dream (SF Shakes) March 1 – May 6 in various locations – see website for details Alan Coyne (Episode 29) is in the show Evan Held (Episode 226) is in the show https://www.sfshakes.org Sweat (Center Rep – at the Lesher Center) March 26 – April 16 Elizabeth Carter (Episode 159) is directing the show Michael J. Asberry (Episode 183) is in the show Maryssa Wanlass (Episode 93) is in the show https://www.lesherartscenter.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/14854/3149 Clue (San Francisco Playhouse) March 9 – April 22 Dorian Locket (Episode 230) and Eiko Yamamoto (Episodes 120 & 225) are in the show https://www.sfplayhouse.org/sfph/2022-2023-season/clue/ Mondragola (Central Works) March 18-April 16 Gary Graves (Episode 24) wrote the piece Jan Zvaifler (Episode 170) is directing the show Steve Ortiz (Episode 231) is in the show https://centralworks.org/mondragola/ King Lear (Silicon Valley Shakes) – an ALL WOMAN CAST July 28 – Sept 1 Cynthia Lagodzinski (Episode 96) is directing the show https://www.svshakespeare.org/lear Barry Graves (Episode 104) has a new podcast out! The Black Man's Heart On Spotify and all your podcast apps Our wonderful consulting producer Mallory Somera (Episode 151) produces two podcasts for KCBS radio: As Prescribed, a weekly conversation with leading medical experts at UCSF Medical Center; and It's Generational, a deep dive on how each generation looks at things differently. Each episode features subject matters from perspectives of the Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z. Check out As Prescribed and It's Generational on all podcast apps. Central Works Script Club is a podcast where you download and read a play script and then listen to an audio interview with the playwright. Delivered semi-annually. You can find the Central Works Script Club on any podcast app. Also, Bindlestiff Studios has a podcast called the Fobcast, exploring Filipino American immigrant stories. Check out The Fobcast in any podcast app. The Yay (Twitter: @TheYay3) Reg Clay (@Reg_Clay) Norman Gee (@WhosYrHoosier)

Tré Tyler (above left) joins the Reduced Shakespeare Company for this spring's tour of The Complete History of Comedy (abridged), and endures the RSC rite-of-passage known as the introductory podcast interview. Tré shares how he first worked with Reed Martin in the African-American Shakespeare Company production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised], and discusses how he first learned about the RSC; how his parents encourage and inspire; the unique training he's had as both an athlete and nerd; how he loves paying homage to the greats; the rewards and challenges of navigating personal relationships with fellow artists; and the danger of too much table work when what an actor really wants to do is get up and move! (Length 18:33)

Sam White (left) is the founding artistic and executive director of Shakespeare In Detroit, currently presenting the African-American Shakespeare Company production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised], directed by Reed Martin. On their first opening night in years, in their new home at Marygrove Conservancy, Sam sat down to discuss the history of @ShakesInTheD; her own origin story; how she has a new appreciation for King Lear after caring for aging parents; the important distinction between loving Shakespeare's works and loving Shakespeare the man; the dangers of taking Shakespeare too seriously; the importance of changing the idea of who Shakespeare is for; how the best actors are funny; the crazy delight of becoming BFFs with Margaret Atwood; and how the pandemic has enriched and deepened our understanding of Shakespeare's plays. (Length 18:15) (PICTURED: Tre Tyler, Lijesh Krishnan, and Gabe Ross in the Shakespeare In Detroit / African-American Shakespeare Company co-production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised], directed by Reed Martin. Photo by @chuknowak.) The post Shakespeare In Detroit appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

The African-American Shakespeare Company production of Richard II, in a new Play On! translation by Naomi Iizuka, runs this weekend and next April 15-24, 2022, at the Marines Memorial Theatre in San Francisco. Director L. Peter Callender and star Lijesh Krishnan discuss the creation of this production; the return to live performances with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] (and how it will travel to Shakespeare in Detroit in May, 2022); the open secret of how Shakespeare gets adapted and translated all the time; unnecessarily nice words about Reed Martin; the distinction between common people and the masses; the difference between the quality of the jokes and the people saying the jokes; the promise of opening night drinks; and the importance of rewarding audiences for returning to live performances. (Length 21:31) The post Hail, Richard II appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

The Tony Award-Winning SAN FRANCISCO MIME TROUPE Debuts a NEW Activist Adaptation of the Dickens Classic as a Radio Play A RED CAROL  An Activist Adaptation of the Dickens Classic Written and Directed by Michael Gene Sullivan Begins streaming FREE on Fri. Nov. 26, 2021 - Jan. 9, 2022 (donations accepted) For the first time the SF Mime Troupe presents a Holiday Audio offering with a worker's take on the Dicken's classic in A Red Carol. With its particular blend of activism, comedy, music, and passion the SFMT's labor-oriented adaptation of Dickens "A Christmas Carol” reclaims this revolutionary classic as a story not of the redemption of one bad man, but as the never-ending story of all of us making the world a more progressive place. In A Red Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is a corporate banker, busy foreclosing on the hapless masses. Bob Cratchit and his beleaguered family live in a chilly tent in an anonymous homeless encampment. The ghost of Christmas future sports a flowing black robe of taped-together trash bags and plastic sheeting. Tiny Tim dies. At least that's how the SF Mime Troupe's resident playwright, Michael Gene Sullivan, has reimagined A Red Carol for the troubled 21st century. A Christmas Carol” has become “the closest thing to a modern myth that we have. It wasn't much of a stretch to place Charles Dickens' Victorian classic into today's Covid-19 world. And that, as Sullivan would be the first to tell you, is exactly the point. Dickens' novella was written in the heart of the “Hungry '40s,” a time of labor unrest, unemployment and starvation across 19th-century Europe. The gap between rich and poor was wide - and getting ever wider. With the limited release of A Red Carol, the San Francisco Mime Troupe hopes it will become an annual alternative holiday tradition for the workers of the world. For more information visit www.sfmt.org or call 415-285-1717.  CRITICS SAY “The play, in its skewering of America's social ills—racism, corporate greed, the plight of the working class—is so funny, and so well acted by the Troupe, including longtime ensemble members Velina Brown, Keiko Shimosato-Carreiro and Brian Rivera , that it comes to life even without visuals and minus the appreciative laughter of a sun-soaked audience. The second half of “The Mystery of the Missing Worker” airs Aug. 29.” SF Examiner - July 6, 2020 ​“As a spoof of serials past, it's solid, quick-witted, and sets the bar high for subsequent episodes, which will satirize other radio-drama templates—namely adventure, horror, and science fiction." KQED - July 8, 2020 _____________________________________________________ MICHAEL GENE SULLIVAN Actor, Director, Teacher, and Resident Playwright Michael Gene Sullivan has performed in, written, and/or directed over thirty SFMT productions. As an actor Sullivan has also appeared in productions at the American Conservatory Theater, Californian Shakespeare Theatre, Theatreworks, San Francisco Playhouse, Denver Center Theater Company, The Aurora Theatre, The Magic Theatre, The Marin Theatre Company, Lorraine Hansberry Theater, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Berkeley Repertory Theater, and San Jose Repertory Theater. Michael has been a principal actor in Mime Troupe plays since 1988, performing in Freedomland, Ripple Effect, For The Greater Good, 2012: The Musical, Posibilidad, Too Big To Fail, Making a Killing, GodFellas, Doing Good, Showdown at Crawford Gulch, Mister Smith Goes to Obscuristan, Eating it, Damaged Care, Soul Suckers form Outer Space, Revenger Rat, Escape to Cyberia, Offshore, Social Work, I Ain't You uncle, Back to Normal, Rats, Seeing Double, and Ripped Van Winkle. His directing credits at SFMT include Schooled, For The Greater Good, Red State, Veronique of the Mounties, 1600 Transylvania Avenue, Killing Time, and Coast City Confidential, Michael has also directed for the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, African American Shakespeare Company, Mystic Bison Theater, and Circus Finelli. Michael is a Resident Playwright for the Playwrights' Foundation, a 2017 Resident Artist at the Djerassi Arts Center, from 2009 - 2016 he was a blogger for The Huffington Post, and Michael has been SFMT's Resident Playwright since 2000. 

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!  1. Rob Kenner, author, THE MARATHON DON’T STOP: The Life and Times of Nipsey Hussle  2. Jasmine Milan Williams (Pecola/Maureen) returns to Aurora for The Bluest Eye radio play (through May 21) after appearing in Bull In A China Shop (2019). Her recent work includes: Utopia (Cutting Ball Theater), The New Normal (By Ashley Smiley), Inked Baby by Christina Anderson (Crowded Fire Theater Company) and The Last Sermon of Sister Imani (Theater First). Companies she has shared space with include:Campo Santo (Family/Company Member), Theater First, Those Women Production Company, African American Shakespeare Company,and New Conservatory Theater Company.

On today’s show, I speak with playwright Migdalia Cruz. You may remember Elisa Bocanegra mentioning Migdalia in episode 18 for her work on María Irene Fornés’ documentary. We discuss her experience working with María Irene Fornés, how she helped Migdalia uncover her true playwrighting voice in a way that Columbia was unable to do, as well as her current project turning her translation of Macbeth into a podcast. I loved speaking with Migdalia about all of this as well as her early life writing plays.For a full transcript of today's episode go to beyondthelightspodcast.com.Mentioned in this Episode[00:02:39] Bil Baird Marionettes[00:08:22] INTAR[00:26:41] Oregon Shakespeare Festival[00:27:08] Next Chapter Podcast[00:28:05] The Play On! Festival[00:33:26] African-American Shakespeare Company[00:33:31] Actors Shakespeare Project [00:41:00] Northern Broadsides[00:44:07] Wooster Group - HAMLETMore about Migdalia2020-21 projects: Macbeth, Summer 2021 @Theatre SpaceNE in Sunderland, England.Teaching playwriting at Princeton University and the Actors’ Center, Spring 2021Co-chair of the 2019-2021 DGF’s Playwriting Fellows with Lucy Thurber.Commission from Clubbed Thumb & NYSCA for FISHTANK.Publications: Her translations of MACBETH and RICHARD III to be published by Arizona State University and The Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies in 2021; and her essay It’s Free on Wednesdays was included in “Theater Artists Making Theatre With No Theater," by Tripwire Harlot Press, eds., Spring, 2020.During the Summer & Fall of 2020, she made five pieces for the theater: Macaque Nightmares, with James Martinez, and Dreamy Fields, with Ephraim López, for HERO Theatre’s HEROVotes! project; Looking-glass for Planet Connections in the evening “Love & Kindness in The Time of Quarantine,” directed by Regina Taylor, featuring Zabryna Guevara; Meat and Other Broken Promises, with Marquise Vilsón Balenciaga, for The Homebound Project, 4th Edition, directed by Cándido Tirado; and in November 2020, she collaborated with the composer Cristian Amigo, for a live, geo-located theatre/sound piece in Battery Park, NY with INTAR Theater, Lives Of The New Kind Of Saints: a blessing/prayer for the essential workers guided by orishas, saints and angels, available on the ECHOES app.For more info on María Irene Fornés visit The Fornés Institute.Follow MigdaliaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramFollow Beyond the LightsWebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

The Tony Award-Winning SAN FRANCISCO MIME TROUPE debuts a NEW Activist Adaptation of the Dickens Classic as a Radio Play A RED CAROL An Activist Adaptation of the Dickens Classic Written and Directed by Michael Gene Sullivan A 21st. Century SFMT spin on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol Online Fri. Dec. 11, 2020 - Jan. 17, 2021 -  FREE (suggested $20 donation) https://www.sfmt.org/   Michael Gene Sullivan (Writer, Director,Actor, SFMT Collective) is an award-winning actor, director, and playwright based in SF. As an actor Michael has worked with the American Conservatory Theatre, the Denver Center Theater Company, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Theatreworks, CA Shakespeare Theatre, SF Playhouse, SF and the African American Shakespeare Companies, and the Aurora, the Marin, the Magic, the Lorraine Hansberry Theater, and has been a principle actor for the SF Mime Troupe for over 30 years. Michael's directing credits include work with SF Shakespeare Festival, TheatreFirst, the African American Shakespeare Company, Street Of Dreams Theatre Company, and over a dozen shows with SFMT. Michael was also director of the all-woman, all-clown Circus Finelli. From 1992 -1999 Michael was a Contributing Writer for the despite-its-name-never-silent, Tony and OBIE Award-winning SF Mime Troupe before being named SFMT's Resident Playwright 2000 to present. Michael is also a Resident Playwright for the Playwrights Foundation, and in 2017 was playwriting resident at the Djerassi Arts Center. Mr. Sullivan's political dramas, musicals, and satires include Walls (Ningun Humano Es Ilegal!), Treasure Island, For The Greater Good, Freedomland, Red Carol, Too Big To Fail, Did Anyone Ever Tell You-You Look Like Huey P. Newton?, Mr. Smith Goes to Obscuristan (with Josh Kornbluth), Godfellas, Too Big to Fail, Possibilidad or The Death of the Worker, the all-woman farce Recipe, and his one person show, Did Anyone Ever Tell You -- You Look Like Huey P. Newton? Mr. Sullivan's plays have been performed at the Melbourne International Arts Festival, the International Festival of Verbal Art (Berlin), The Hong Kong Arts Festival, and in Greece, Spain, Columbia, Argentina, New Zealand, Ukraine, England, Scotland, The Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Mexico, as well as in theaters throughout the USA. 1984, his critically-acclaimed stage adaptation of George Orwell's dystopic novel of the oppressive present/future, had its world premiere in 2006 at the Actors' Gang, directed by Academy Award-winning actor Tim Robbins. After several extended runs in LA, 1984 has gone on to several national and international productions, has been translated into six languages, and published in two. Michael is also a Collective Member and Board Member of the SF Mime Troupe.  www.michaelgenesullivan.com

Theatre Corner sits down with actor/comedian Mark Christopher Lawrence (Chuck, The Pursuit of Happyness) and artistic director L. Peter Callender. Lawrence talks about his career, getting started in the industry, and how he killed a guy with comedy. Callender discusses his role at the African-American Shakespeare Company and Blacks in theatre.

We sit down with the phenomenal Shakespearean Actor L. Peter Callender, Artistic Director of The African-American Shakespeare Company. A professional actor for over 30 years, he received his formal training in theatre at the Juilliard School in NYC and the Webber/Douglas Academy in London, England. He has appeared on Broadway, off-Broadway, in regional theaters across the US, and has performed internationally in Japan, England, and France.

Tristan Cunningham started her performing days when she was only ten years old touring with Vermont’s own home grown country circus, Circus Smirkus. After running away with the circus for eight summers, she decided to change her focus to acting and graduated from S.U.N.Y Purchase Theater Arts and Film conservatory with a B.F.A. She now works between the Bay Area and Los Angeles as an actor, teaching artist, and circus performer, taking part in productions by the California Shakespeare Theater, Aurora Theater Company, African American Shakespeare Company, Shotgun Players, San Francisco Playhouse, Marin Shakespeare Company, Circus Bella, Medical Clown Project and many more. Her hope is to continue acting in theater, film and television. She feels incredibly blessed to do what she loves and share it with the rest of the world. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/matthew-tiger-impersonator/message

On this episode of the Yay, Norman and I have the great pleasure to talk to Dawn Monique Williams, the new associate artistic director at Aurora Theatre. Dawn is a veteran actor and director, the former associate director at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and has worked with a vast amounts of theater companies, including HERE Arts Center, Profile Theatre (in Portland OR), ACT, Chautauqua Theatre Company and the African American Shakespeare Company. She is currently directing Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown at Town Hall Theatre. You can contact Dawn via Facebook or via Instagram (Dmw_directs) SHOUTOUTS Sister Act (Theatre Rhino) May 17 – June 1 Playing at the Gateway Theatre (formerly the Eureka Theatre) http://therhino.org The Victorian Ladies' Detective Collective (Central Works Theatre) May 4 – June 2 Alan Coyne (Episode 29) is in the show Gary Graves (Episode 24) is directing the show Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Town Hall Theatre) May 30 – June 22 https://www.townhalltheatre.com Melvygn Badiola (Episode 89), Deb Carriger (Episode 52) and yours truly (Reg Clay) is in the show Bakersfield Mist (Off-Broadway West) May 3 – June 1 http://www.offbroadwaywest.org Richard Harder (Episode 26) is directing the show I'm a good friend of Carolyn Doyle.  Carolyn just had a bit of a life curve ball thrown at her. In addition to the usual challenges she faces (currently transitioning her son with low functioning autism to an adult group home and a new recreation program) and the typical challenges of raising a teenager daughter in an incredibly expensive city, she has to have some surgery. And Right Now, unfortunately.  Not life-threatening, but pretty major with a six-week to eight-week recovery period. And, because the world is the way it is, her job won't be held for her (insurance coverage ending on 5/31/19).  She will get some disability, but the partial payment will only be enough to cover basic household expenses. And like many of us, Carolyn lives paycheck to paycheck and doesn't have any savings in the bank. Non-profits, you know? Whatever you can give will go a long way. What are we if we don't help each other, as artists? https://www.gofundme.com/aftse-carolynsrecovery Reg Clay (@Reg_Clay) Norman Gee (@WhosYrHoosier)

Tristan Cunningham started her performing days when she was only ten years old touring with Vermont's own home grown country circus, Circus Smirkus. After running away with the circus for eight summers, she decided to change her focus to acting and graduated from S.U.N.Y Purchase Theater Arts and Film conservatory with a B.F.A. She now works between the Bay Area and Los Angeles as an actor, teaching artist, and circus performer, taking part in productions by the California Shakespeare Theater, Aurora Theater Company, African American Shakespeare Company, Shotgun Players, San Francisco Playhouse, Marin Shakespeare Company, Circus Bella, Medical Clown Project and many more. Her hope is to continue acting in theater, film and television. She feels incredibly blessed to do what she loves and share it with the rest of the world. Contact: Tristan.cunningham1@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theactorslounge/support

What practices make the arts more or less inclusive? At Stanford Social Innovation Review’s 2018 Nonprofit Management Institute conference, leaders from three San Francisco Bay Area arts organizations discuss how they are shaping both their organizations and their performances to make them more diverse and welcoming to all. “That's the next big shift if we are to survive—to go into the community, knock down those norms, and be something that is accessible,” said panelist Tim Seelig, artistic director of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. Nayantara Sen, manager of cultural strategies with Race Forward moderates the conversation with Seelig, Judith Smith, founder and director of AXIS Dance Company, and Sherri Young, executive director and founder of the African-American Shakespeare Company. They discuss the meaning of equity within their respective communities, learning from failures, and building sustainable partnerships. https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/increasing_equity_and_inclusion_in_the_arts

Conversations about theater, life, and politics with the playwright and solo performer Nilaja Sun; Tom Ross, artistic director of Aurora Theatre Company; actors Emily Jeanne Brown and Jackie Chung; San Francisco Mime Troupe veteran Michael Gene Sullivan; theatre arts professor and director Darryl V. Jones; Gregory Dawson, artistic director of dawsondancesf; and L. Peter Callender, artistic director of African-American Shakespeare Company. KPFA's Bay Area Theater podcast The post The Play's the Thing appeared first on KPFA.

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! 1.Saturday, March 24, 2018 International artist/sculptor, Nijel Binns presents his Tupac Shakur maquette sculpture at the opening of the Oakland Museum of California exhibit, RESPECT: Hip-Hop Style & Wisdom. March 24 - August 12, 2018 2. Eric Murphy, artist, joins us to continue our conversation about Black Panther, the film 3. Santoya Fields, actress ("Stella" in African American Shakespeare Company's production of T. Williams's "A Street Car Named Desire") 4. Tre'Vonne Bell, "Tru," actor, Jesse Vaughn "Marquis," actor, and Lisa Marie Rollins join us to talk about Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm's "Hooded or Being Black for Dummies" at The Custom Made Theatre through April 7.      

On this episode of The Yay, Norman and I talk to Carolyn Doyle, actress and writer of Refrigerator Mom, which had two successful runs at the Marsh - Carolyn is also a former Eastender'er who shared the stage with me doing Fear & Misery in the Third Reich. Carolyn talks about her upbringing in the New England area, her first experience with Bay Area theater in the late 80's and a very personal perspective on how older female actors are looked upon in theater. A must hear! Write back and let us know what you think. We want to give two shouts out to: A Woman in Mind, playing at the Town Hall Theater (https://www.townhalltheatre.com/woman-in-mind/). The show runs from March 3 to March 24th. Craig Souza, who's in the show, was a guest on The Yay (Episode 10). Also, African American Shakespeare Company is starting their run of A Streetcar Named Desire (http://www.african-americanshakes.org/productions/a-streetcar-named-desire/). Khary Moye, playing Stanley, was a guest on the Yay as well (Episode 45).

While in St. Petersburg to direct the acclaimed production of A Raisin in The Sun at American Stage, the Artistic Director of the African-American Shakespeare Company talks with Barbara St. Clair about the teachers who guided him to a career in the arts and the relevance of Raisin right now. He shares an insightful analysis of the play, and of last year’s production of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. From Peter Callender’s studies at New York’s High School for Performing Arts (honored in the movie, Fame) and Juilliard, a career as a classical actor led him to San Francisco’s African-American Shakespeare Company, where actors of color have the chance to perform works from A Streetcar Named Desire to Richard III. And he’s playing Richard III this year. As Peter explains, the works of August Wilson and Tennessee Williams aren’t “black” plays or “white” plays - these are American plays. Find out more about L. Peter Callender’s work at - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0130458/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm Explore the African-American Shakespeare Company here - http://www.african-americanshakes.org Take a look at visual artist Romare Bearden, who Peter explains was a great inspiration to playwright August Wilson - https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/aug15.ela.lit.bearden/writing-from-art-august-wilson-and-romare-bearden/

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! 1. Sherri Young, Founder, African American Shakespeare Company, joins us to talk about the holiday favorite, Cinderella, opening this weekend, Dec. 22-24 at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. She will be joined by Prince Charming (Rickey Soto) and Cinderella (Paige Mayes).  Visit http://www.african-americanshakes.org/productions/cinderella/ 2. Dezi Solèy, actress (ensemble), Participants at TheatreFirst in Berkeley, Dec. 22-23, closing weekend. Visit http://theatrefirst.com/tickets/ & www.dezisoley.com 3. Aldo Billingslea, Interim Artistic Director, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre (taped 12/8) 4. Yvonne Cobbs, Musical Director, LHT's Soulful Christmas: A Gospel Holiday Concert and cast join us to talk about the wonderful program (taped 12/15).  

  This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! 1. Karla M. Wynn Diouf has served as ADACI's Director of Public Relations since 1994; Francisco J. Tovar B.,Venezuelan scholar and activist, also director and Founder of the Institute of Afro-Diasporic Studies (IEA); Luther Gray, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, with Danys “LaMora” Perez-Prades, dir. Oyu Oro Experimental Dance Ensemble from Cuba and Francisco Mores (musician).  2. Trevor R. Getz & Soumyaa Behrens join us to talk about Abina and the Important Men: A Graphic History, the film having its world premiere as a part of the SF Black Film Festival, free screening at the deYoung Museum, 6 p.m., Fri., June 16.  3. L. Peter Callender, Artistic Director, African American Shakespeare Company joins us to talk about The Winter's Tale opening, June 9 and continuing through June 17.     

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! 1. Today is blues singer, Alberta Hunter's birthday (April 1, 1895 – October 17, 1984) and closing weekend for Jewelle Gomez's Leaving the Blues at New Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, Saturday, April 1, 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 2, 2 p.m. We rebroadcast two shows featuring an interview with Jewelle (3/29) and actors: Desiree Rogers and Leontyne Mbong-Mbele, from Leaving the Blues and Jitney (3/22). August Wilson's Jitney also opens this weekend at African American Shakespeare Company at the Marine's Memorial theatre.  Playwright, Kheven LaGrone's The Legend of Pink, directed by Darryl Jones, is being read Monday, April 3 at the GLBT Museum in San Francisco.  Music: Alberta Hunter (3), Alice Coltrane, Barbara Bolton, and Ben Vereen

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!  1. L. Peter Callender and Leontyne Mbele Mbong join us to speak about the African American Shakespeare Company's production of Antony and Cleopatra, closing this weekend at the Burial Clay Theatre in the AAACC, 762 Fulton Street in San Francisco. http://www.african-americanshakes.org/ 2. We close with an interview with Jennifer Madden, Assistant District Attorney, Alameda County, who is running for Alameda County Superior Court: https://maddenforjudge2016.com/  

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!  1. L. Peter Callender and Leontyne Mbele-Mbong join us to talk about the work, Mark Antony and Cleopatra. The interview was first broadcast 4/29. The production at African American Shakespeare Company closes this weekend, Saturday (8 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.), May 28-29, 2016 at the AAACC 762 Fulton Street, San Francisco.  2. Also from the achives (first broadcast 5/6) is an interview with Lynn Morrow, Director, Oakland Symphony Chorus, and Nicole Joseph, soprano, soloist in Knoxville: Summer of 1914, Op. 24 performance May 20, 2016. 

This is a Black Arts and Culture Site. 1. San Francisco Arts Festival 2016 is May 19-June 5: Joining us are: Genny Lim (artist), Andrew Wood (Executive Director, SFIAF), Charlie Levin (artist), Jon Jang (artist). sfiaf.org 2. Alice Aziza Jefferson, Artistic Director of Sankofa Akili Dance Ensemble, speaks about the 2016 Spring Benefit, Apr. 30 at DeFremery Recreation Center, Lil Bobby Hutton Park, 1651 Adeline Street, in Oakland. She is first generation West Oaklander, Founder & Artistic Director of The Sankofa Akili Dance Ensemble. She founded the dance company in 1998 to pay tribute to the artistic legacy of her mentor Ms. Akili Denianke, under whom she studied at CSU-Hayward and elsewhere as a member of the Harambee Dance Ensemble. It is the mentorship of Ms. Denianke that she attributes the clarity she has attained regarding her life purpose. Info: 510-735-5150. 3.  L. Peter Callender and Leontyne Mbele-Mbong join us to speak about ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA — which closes the African American Shakespeare Company 2015-16 season. Shakespeare's epic love story — is set in modern day. Mark Antony has traded his power over an empire for the forbidden love of one woman, Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt. Jealousy, betrayal, death, and war cannot refute their undying love for each other. With award winning actors L. Peter Callender and Leontyne Mbele-Mbong in the title roles of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Visit http://www.african-americanshakes.org/productions/antony-and-cleopatra/  

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! We rebroadcast Friday, October 23, show featuring cast and co-director of African American Shakespeare Company's Romeo and Juliet in San Francisco. Also on that show was Kim Nalley speaking about her latest project, Blues People.  

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! 1. African American Shakespeare Company presents Romeo & Juliet 2. Kim Nalley on her latest work: Blues People (Amiri Baraka) 3. From the Archives Special -- Angelique Kidjo    

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay!   1. Bryan Keith Thomas, CCA professor, painter, speaks about his exhibits (5), up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Heirlooms at Joyce Gordon Galllery in Oakland closes this weekend, March 1. 2. Ryan Nicole Austin ("Tigs"/Antigone) returns to talk about Nambi E. Kelley's Xtigone, directed by Rhodessa Jones, at African American Shakespeare Company, Sat. (8 p.m.) & Sun. (3 p.m.), through March 8 at the Buriel Clay Theater (AAACC) in San Francisco. 3. We speak to actors Carl Lumbly (Leo Price) & Cathleen Riddley (Mrs. Jessalyn Price) who are mother, son, in the SF Playhouse current production of Julie Hébert's Tree directed by Jon Tracey. 4. We close with visual artist, Marie Johnson Calloway, whose work is the topic of an artist talk early March 8, 2015, 2-3:30 PM, at the MoAD San Francisco.

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! 1. Aliyah Dunn-Salahuddin is an artist and educator in SF. Born in the SF Bay Area and raised in San Francisco, the CCSF history professor joins us to talk about, the Bayview Hunter's Point Riot in 1966, in a lecture at the John Adams Center Library at City College, San Francisco, 10:45-12:15, 1860 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, (415) 561-1956 or mgarcia@ccsf.edu. It is a free event. 2. Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical creators, Anthony Wayne and Kendrell Bowman. Mighty Real opens at Brava Theatre in San Francisco tonight, Feb. 11. See www.brava.org & http://www.fabuloussylvester.com/about.html 3. Rhodessa Jones (director) & Ryan Nicole Austin (Xtigone "Tig") join us to talk about the World Premiere of Nambi E. Kelly's "Xtigone," @ the African American Shakespeare Company at the Buriel Clay Theatre, African-American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street, San Francisco. Tickets: $15-$34.00: http://www.african-americanshakes.org/productions/xtigone/ Music: Archie Shepp: "Revolution"

Candi Farlice joins us to speak about SOMArts Cultural Center's VISIONS AT TWILIGHT: DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 2014, the 15th Annual Day of the Dead exhibit, October 10–November 8, 2014 curated by René and Rio Yañezwww.somarts.org/visionsattwilight  Candi takes on social/political issues in her art.  The installation that she is creating for “Visions at Twilight,” the Day of the Dead exhibition at SOMArts Cultural Center in San Francisco focuses upon the black male and how he is perceived.  The working title is “No Matter What I Wear.” Ms. Farlice also has a solo show up through 10/16 in the African American Center at SF's Main Library, 3rd Floor. Byb Chanel Bibene joins us to speak about "Taboo and Heroes," a multi-media work that addresses the reality and consequences of violence and corruption through the specific experience of the war that overtook the Republic of Congo in the late 1990's. In this piece Bibene narrates his personal experiences, as a survival, in which hope was the only strength for survival. Bringing together dance and theater performers, an original music score, set design and video elements, the piece aims to transport the audience into the charged atmosphere of conflict that permeated, and still echoes in everyday life in the Republic of Congo. Taboos is Sept. 27, 8 p.m. at Zaccho Theatre, 1777 Yosemite Ave., San Francisco. Visit www.kiandanda-dance.com We close with a conversation with the African American Shakespeare Company team: L Peter Callender, Artistic Director, Nancy Carlin (guest director), Ponder Goddard (Ariel) about the 20th Anniversary of the theatre and the opening production of The Tempest Oct. 18-Nov. 9. Visit african-americanshakes.org Music: Judith Sephuma te Tshephile Mang; Steel Pulse's Uncle George (Jackson)

1. David Minkus, Ph.D., Graduate Fellows Training Program Coordinator, has been a Research Associate and Coordinator of the Graduate Fellows training program at the Institute for the Study of Social Change, now now the Institute for the Study of Societal Issues) for more than three decades. He joins us with Teresa Córdova, Ph.D., now Director of Great Cities Institute and Professor of Urban Planning and Policy at University of Illinois at Chicago to talk about Breaking Barriers, Building Community: 35 Years of Training Social Change Scholars, Friday, May 2nd, 8:30am-4:30pm. at the Alumnae Hall, 2537 Haste St. (between Telegraph Ave. and Bowditch St.). They speak about the relevance of the academy to achieving social justice then and now. The conference is free. Register by April 27, 2014, and get a free lunch: http://crsc.berkeley.edu/conference  2. Joyce Jenkins is editor of Poetry Flash, Literary Review & Calendar for the West (Poetryflash.org), presenter of the Poetry Flash reading series at Moe's Books (Berkeley) and Diesel, A Bookstore (Oakland), Watershed Environmental Poetry Festival, and the Northern California Book Awards. She is chair of Northern California Book Reviewers, a volunteer association which has its 33rd Annual Northern California Book Awards this Sunday, April 27, 2014, at the San Francisco Main Library on Larkin Street, 1-2:30; 2:30-4:00 p.m. The event is free. For more information on the awards visit www.poetryflash.org or 510/525-5476. 3. African American Shakespeare Company presents Much Ado About Nothing: L. Peter Calendar, Director; Leontyne Mbele-Mbong as Beatrice, Ryan Vincent Anderson as Benedick. www.african-americanshakes.org .  

Diamano Courais in its 19th year presenting Collage des Cultures Africaines Dance and Drum Concert, March 5-9 in Oakland.Dr. Zakarya S. Diouf the company's Founder and Directorand Naomi Gedo Diouf,Artistic Director, with Dr. Esalima Diouf, doc. filmmaker, and Nimely Napla, guest choreographer join us to talk about this 4-day cultural tour of the Pan African Disapora in Oakland at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts (all classes) with the performance March 8, 2014 (6 doors for African Marketplace; 8 show) at Oakland Tehnical High School. http://www.diamanocoura.org/upcoming-events.htmlJulia Jackson (actor/writer) joins us to talk about her latest show, "Children are Forever (All Sales are Final!)”, at Stage Werx Theatre, 446 Valencia, in San Francisco, Friday-Sat., 8 p.m. Directed by Coke Nakamoto now, the play was developed with original direction in W. Kamau Bell's solo performance workshop a number of years ago. The professional comedian has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and was a semi-finalist at the San Francisco International Comedy Competition in 2007. www.juliajackson.comLeontyne Mbele-Mbong (Medea) and Dawn Monique Williams (Director) join us to talk about African-American Shakespeare Company's presentation ofMEDEA, Euripides' tragic tale of Love, Betrayal, and Vengeance, March 8-30, 2014. For tickets visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/531366

Have you ever wondered how theater companies take an idea and make it into a performance? For the African-American Shakespeare Company, it starts with a brainstorming session. Spark visits executive director Sherry Young and their development group as they start work on a production of "Beauty and the Beast" at the Zeum Theater.

We devote the first hour to a Shout out to the Black Mother. Guests are asked to tell us their mom's name. Question: Is she still alive? What do you love most about her? What lessons are you still living by? What is she most proud of that you have done? Moms you can give a shout out to yourselves too (smile). Count your blessings on the air. You have only a minute or two though, depending on the response (smile). We are then joined by Jennifer Baichwal, director, Payback, based on Margaret Atwood's visionary work, Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth. The film opens May 18, 2012 at Landmark's Lumiere in San Francisco and Landmark's Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley. We close with a conversation with Eleanor Jacobs, Lena in Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun, directed by L. Peter Callender, Artistic Director, African American Shakespeare Company in San Francisco at the Burial Clay Theater at the African American Art and Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street, San Francisco. Visit www.african-americanshakes.org or call (800) 838-3006.  

We devote the first hour to a Shout out to the Black Mother. Guests are asked to tell us their mom's name. Question: Is she still alive? What do you love most about her? What lessons are you still living by? What is she most proud of that you have done? Moms you can give a shout out to yourselves too (smile). Count your blessings on the air. You have only a minute or two though, depending on the response (smile). We are then joined by Jennifer Baichwal, director, Payback, based on Margaret Atwood's visionary work, Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth. The film opens May 18, 2012 at Landmark's Lumiere in San Francisco and Landmark's Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley. We close with a conversation with Eleanor Jacobs, Lena in Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun, directed by L. Peter Callender, Artistic Director, African American Shakespeare Company in San Francisco at the Burial Clay Theater at the African American Art and Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street, San Francisco. Visit www.african-americanshakes.org or call (800) 838-3006.   

Mama Lola Hanif, founder of Sacred Space Spiritual Support Group, third Thursdays monthly, at 2147 Broadway, Oakland, 4-6 p.m. For the past five years this Sacred Space has hosted over 130 African American women in a spiritually-based, emotionally safe and supportive environment for African American women to gather, network, experience a sense of community. Sacred Space serves as a means of advocating healthy, peaceful African American families. Excerpt from an interview with Mama Naomi Diouf, Artistic Director of Diamano Coura West African Dance Company, celebrating the 17th Anniversary of Collage de Africaines, beginning today, March 8-11, 2012, at the Malonga Casquelord Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice Street, Oakland, CA.  Sullivan is head writer for the political satire-minded San Francisco Mime Troupe; he recently penned a re-interpretation of A Christmas Carol for the masses, which was performed at Occupy Oakland and SF, and LA's famed Actor's Gang is currently remounting his adaptation of Orwell's novel 1984 this February, directed by Tim Robbins, as a highlight of its 30th anniversary season. Michael Gene Sullivan, director of Othello opening at the African American Shakespeare Company this weekend,  has performed in, written, and/or directed over 20 San Francisco Mime Troupe productions, a company he joined in 1988.   Filmmaker Yuriko Gamo Romer's film Mrs. Judo: BE STRONG, BE GENTLE, BE BEAUTIFUL opens at the SFIAFFMarch 11 in SF. She holds a master's degree in documentary filmmaking from Stanford University, a BFA from UCLA, a brown belt from World Oyama Karate and lives in San Francisco with her husband and son.

The 9th Annual Oakland International Film Festival, directors of shorts screening Thursday, April 14 & 15, 2011: Howard Egger-Bovet, dir. Nobody Knows Where the Bullet Goes (5:09 min.) screens, 4/14 6-8:15 PM slot; Sean Morris, Native Time, (9:30 mins.) screens at the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland, CA, 4/14 6-8:15 PM, and Zondre Smith, Fuss and Fight (4 mins.) screening at Art Deco Auditorium in Alameda, CA, Friday, April 15, 6-8:15 PM slot.  Visit www.oiff.org We close with a conversation with cast members: Charles Branklyn (Feste) and Renee Wilson (Viola) in The African American Shakespeare Company's production of Twelfth Night or What You Will up Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 3 PM through May 1.   Visit www.african-americanshakes.org   Music: We open with music from Rupa and the April Fishes's "Este Mundo" and close with a Renee Wilson number, "Crepe Covered Sidewalks."

Rupa Marya speaks about "Rupa & the April Fishes," two concerts one in Oceanside, March 25, 2011, the other at The Independent in San Francisco, April 1, 2011. International Roma Celebration (the official International Roma Day is April 8th, 2011) and a portion of ticket sales will benefit the Voice of Roma, a nonprofit organization based in the Bay Area and Kosovo that works to improve the plight of the Roma in Europe and bring awareness of their condition around the world. L. Peter Callender, African-American Shakespeare Company Artistic Director, Reneé Wilson, Actress, Singer, Songwriter, filmmaker and proud New Orleans native, and Marcus Shelby, Artistic Director and leader of The Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, The Marcus Shelby Septet, and The Marcus Shelby Trio, speak about the African American Shakespeare Company's upcoming Twelfth Night: April 1 to May 1, 2011 at the African American Art and Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street, in San Francisco. Shelby's band perform live opening night. Visit www.African-AmericanShakes.org We close with Oliver Mtukudzi, speaking about the Acoustic Africa Tour with Habib Koite and Afel Boucoum and other reown African artists. The tour stops in Oakland, CA, at the Paramount Theatre, then on to LA. Tuku began recording in the mid-1970s as a member of Wagon Wheels. After WW rolled to fame in Southern Africa, Tuku formed the Black Spirits, the band which backs him to this day. Tuku's music is heavily influenced by chimurenga music, which in Shona means music of "struggle," the genre pioneered by Thomas Mapfumo and inspired by the mbira (thumb piano). A fantastic writer and creative artist, Tuku reflects in his music the lives and histories of his people, a people who love freedom and justice and are tireless in their quest to achieve such. Visit http://www.cumbancha.com/habib/tour Music: Singing Sandra's "Die with Dignity," something from Howard Wiley's Angola Suite, Rupa & the April Fishes, a Renee Wilson,Ruth Foster's "Truth."

Denise Pierre performs Sept. 18, 2010 with Swing Fever at the Rrazz Room, at Hotel Nikko, 7 PM. Stanley Bennett Clay's "Armstrong's Kid" Benefit performance is SEPT. 17-19. Three times NAACP Theatre Award winning playwright, novelist, filmmaker, and actor Stanley Bennett Clay lends his talent to the fight against HIV. “Oakland's Dinner Club” in collaboration with “SMACC (Sexual Minority Alliance of Alameda”, presents Oakland's premier of “Armstrong's Kid”, starring Clay and Thandiwe Thomas DeShazor, September 17-19 at SMAAC Youth Center 1608 Webster St., Oakland California. Fri & Sat at 8 PM and Sun, SEPT 19 at 3 PM. Stanley is joined by writer activist, Jesse Brooks and Nursha Project™ artist Thandiwe Thomas DeShazor is an actor, writer and comedian originally from Detroit. Brava Theater and African-American Shakespeare Company present the US Premiere of IPH… from playwright Colin Teevan. Director Dylan Russell helms this lyrical, edgy adaptation of Euripides' Greek tragedy Iphigenia at Aulis. Set at the beginning of the Trojan War, General Agamemnon has a difficult choice to make – should he sacrifice his daughter Iphigeneia or condemn his entire army, and nation, to defeat? The gifted cast assembled for this co-production features acclaimed actor and incoming African-American Shakespeare Artistic Director L. Peter Callender, Bay Area favorite C. Kelly Wright, and up-and-coming talent Traci Tolmaire. We close with playwright Genny Lim, whose Paper Angels is up through SEPT. 17 at Portsmouth Square Park in San Francisco's Chinatown as a part of SF FRINGE, produced by NY Company DIRECT ARTS.

Guests this morning are: San Francisco native, Damani Baker, Director/Producer/Cinematographer of the award winning film, "Still Bill" (2009). Still Bill has its theatrical debut at Sundance Kabuki, 1881 Post @Fillmore, in San Francisco, Nov. 11, 7 PM. A ticket to the movie gets one into a free afterparty at the Boom Boom Room, 9 PM to 1 AM. Visit www.stillbillthemovie.com Next on the show is Jackie Wright, founder and president of Wright Enterprises, a full service public relations film serving the corporate, non-profit and government sectors. Wright has 20 years of media and public relations. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Henry W. Grady School of Journalism, home of the Peabody Awards. We close with a conversation with L. Peter Callender, new Artistic Director of the African American Shakespeare Company. Visit http://www.african-americanshakes.org/

We're trying to get Claridee who is having her annual Christmas show this evening to come on the air, along with perhaps a capella ensemble, SoVoSo to give us a preview of their Singing for Our Lives concert, Dec. 31, 2008-Jan. 1, 2009. Check back for confirmation. Well, we didn't get Claridee of SoVoSo, but we do have Jonathan Smothers, director of the African American Shakespeare Company season favorite, "Cinderella." It is quite marvelous and continues through Dec. 28 at Zeum Theatre in San Francisco. Visit www.african-americanshakes.org This morning's show concludes with a conversation with Dr. Runoko Rashidi, African scholar who is visiting family in Southern California and sending out dispatches from his extensive archive. Two things that struck me were his references to the history of Christmas, pagan history, and the many African scholars like Chancellor Williams whose birthdays are towards the end of the year. Mr. Williams, whose seminal work includes: The Destruction of Black Civilization--Great Issues of a Race from 4500 B.C. to 2000 A.D., born Dec. 22, 1898. He passed in 1992. Dr. Rashidi is just a phone call away from many of our great thinkers and by extension, so are we when he touches us with his wisdom. So tune in for a rare treat. We might go over. The show will conclude, time permitting with a commercial for Black Rep's season finale with Paul Mooney, "Black President." The show opens Friday, Dec. 26 and its a fundraiser for the Black Rep's Music in the Community program. Sunday, Dec. 28, 6 and 8 p.m., is a fundraiser for the San Francisco 8 and Freedom Archives.

This morning we'll be speaking with participants in the Critical Resisitance Conference 10 at Laney College, 900 Fallon Street, Oakland, this weekend: our regular guest Robert H. King, A3,author of "From the Bottom of the Heap," (PM Press) along with other guests: Emory Douglas, former Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party, Pam and Ramona Africa, MOVE 9, and the International Friends and Family of Mumia Abu Jamal, Hamdiyah Cook, All of Us or None and the California Coalition for Women Prisoners. Also this week we will visit with actors from a couple of San Francisco Bay Area companies: Berkeley Rep, which is currently in production with Yellowjackets. We'll be speaking to Amaya Alonso Hallifax and Jahmela Biggs. We will close the morning with a dicussion of the wonderful play, MacB, The MacBeth Project at the African American Shakespeare Company. For more details visit http://wandaspicks.com Closing: Freda Kahlo exhibit at SFMOMA, Kev Choice is at the Shattuck Downlow tonight, Sept. 26, Sacred Spray Paint at Mama Buzz Cafe, 2318 Telegraph Ave., in Oakland, closes Sept. 27, and Laney College Theatre presents: Cubaneando, Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 27-28, 8 and 5 PM. Laney College is at 900 Fallon Street, near Lake Merritt BART and the Oakland Museum.

In part three, Gee starts by explaining the impetus for starting the Oakland Public Theatre. Next he tackles the thorny issue of ethnicity in theatre in the Bay Area. He mentions Shotgun Players, California Shakespeare Company and African American Shakespeare Company.Part 3 Ethnicity and TheatrePart 3 - Very Close to CD-Quality MPEG-4 (Broadband) (8.8M)Part 3 - High Quality MPEG-4 (ISDN) (4.5M)Part 3 - Highest Quality MPEG-4 available for Dial_up (2.8M)

Have you ever wondered how theater companies take an idea and make it into a performance? Spark visits the African-American Shakespeare Company as they update the classic story of "Beauty and the Beast" for a contemporary audience. Original air date: August 2003.