Theater troupes to examine "Trayvon, Race and Privilege"

Festival of Short Plays Inspired by Trayvon Martin Case
by Felicia R. Lee, The New York Times, August 5, 2013

Tonya Pinkins is Live & Outspoken

Dominique Morisseau and Tonya Pinkins

On Monday, October 8 (7pm), The New Black Fest at 651 ARTS presents Live & Outspoken with Tony Award Winning Actress Tonya Pinkins, moderated by PONY Fellow Dominique Morisseau

hosted by The Classical Theatre of Harlem

Complete information here

Free admission: RSVP here

Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Center
3940 Broadway (between 165th and 166th Streets), Manhattan
(map/directions)

"Gun Hill Road"

The New Black Fest invites you to the opening of Gun Hill Road, the feature debut of 2011 Sundance filmmaker Rashaad Ernesto Green, opening for its commercial premiere in New York City, August 5.

After three years in prison, Enrique (Esai Morales) returns home to the Bronx to find the world he knew has changed. His wife, Angela (Judy Reyes), struggles to hide an emotional affair, and his teenage son, Michael (Harmony Santana), explores a sexual transformation well beyond Enrique's grasp. Writer/director Rashaad Ernesto Green's first feature film is an intricate portrait of a family divided.

Gun Hill Road movie trailer

ANGELIKA FILM CENTER
18 W Houston St, Manhattan (212) 995-2570

AMC EMPIRE 25
234 West 42nd Street, Manhattan (888) 262-4386 

AMC BAY PLAZA
2210 Bartow Avenue,  Bronx (888) 262-4386

Opening Los Angeles, CA August 12

LAEMMLE'S SUNSET 5, West Hollywood
AMC BROADWAY, Santa Monica
AMC BURBANK TOWN CENTER 8, Burbank
AMC FULLERTON 20, Fullerton
AMC NORWALK 20, Norwalk
REGAL UNIVERSITY 6, Irvine
LAEMMLE'S PLAYHOUSE 7, Pasadena

TICKETS

Speaking our truths: American Slavery Project

Here's a note of appreciation for The New Black Fest's American Slavery Project and last evening's presentation--a reading of Judy Tate's play Fast Blood--at CAP 21 with support from 651 Arts. Directed by Melissa Maxwell, this play deals with a perilous, potentially transformative moment in the lives of Black slaves and white slaveholders in the American South of 1845. Tate is blessed with a compelling eight-member cast--in particular, Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr., Messeret Stroman, Shane Taylor and William C. Sullivan--insightful and powerful performers all.

The American Slavery Project initiates "new conversations around theater’s role in counteracting the increasing revisionism in our political/social discourse about the Civil War and slavery" and "aims to promote a new generation of African-American voices who are telling the diverse and rich stories from an era that most adversely affected us."

Look for future presentations in this series of free readings and discussions. For program information click here. To make reservations, click here.

"The New Black" is now

The New Black Fest--guest curated by Judy Tate and Godfrey Simmons in association with 651 Arts--presents The American Slavery Project, a monthly series of readings and post-reading conversations in recognition of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. The series focuses on Black playwrights whose work deals with slavery and/or the Civil War in a bold and refreshing way.

The purpose behind the American Slavery Project is to initiate new conversations around theater’s role in counteracting the increasing revisionism in our political/social discourse about the Civil War and slavery. More importantly, the American Slavery Project aims to promote a new generation of African-American voices who are telling the diverse and rich stories from an era that most adversely affected us. The series runs from mid-March through Juneteenth.

Schedule of 2011 Events

Monday, March 7 (7pm)

Fast Blood by Judy Tate

Monday, April 4 (7pm)

Sweet Maladies by Zakiyyah Alexander 

Monday, May 2 (7pm)

Living in the Wind by Michael Bradford

Monday, June 6 (7pm)

Voices from Harpers Ferry by Dominic Taylor

Wednesday, June 15 (7pm)

Safe House by Keith Josef Adkins

All tickets are free with a reservation. For full program, schedule of readings and location information, click here.

For reservations, click here.

For general information, contact info@thenewblackfest.org