Happy Accident
Born by fortuitous circumstances, local black theater festival enters its third year
by Martin Brady
- My, My, My (from left to right): Brett Wilson, Robyn Dubreus, Vincent Sangetti, Melissa Hughley, Joel Diggs, Annie Leong and Aketa Marie Simmons in My Lover, My Best Friend & My Roommate
Nashville's African-American theater community has been surging. Startup organizations, however modest their resources, continue to produce shows, homegrown acting talent improves with every new opportunity, and writers are stepping up and crafting original works. This committed spirit has definitely enlivened the broader local scene and has helped pave the way for emerging black talent to gain recognition with more established Music City companies. For concrete evidence, look no further than the third annual Shades of Black Theatre Festival, which opens this weekend at the Darkhorse Theater and runs through Sept. 27.
"The first fest, in 2006, was really an accident," says co-organizer Mary McCallum, artistic director of Sista Style Productions. "Various of our companies had rented out the Darkhorse on consecutive weekends, so we simply decided to package the plays as a group effort. But now we have a movement going—we're a collective celebrating what is good about African-American theater."
All of this year's Shades of Black offerings are originals, including McCallum's 70% More (Aug. 29-Sept. 7), a sequel to her well-received The 70% Club, which debuted in Nashville earlier this year and has since toured selected cities. Also on the schedule are Destiny Theatre Experience's My Lover, My Best Friend & My Roommate (Aug. 15-17), written by Shawn Whitsell and Melissa Hughley; Dream 7's production of Michael L. Walker's gritty Smokin' Room (Sept. 12-14); and yet another Whitsell original, Never Been Home (Sept. 25-27). Guest theater companies include Griot Theatre Ensemble, presenting Jacqueline Springfield's one-woman show Goin' Back to Where I've Never Been (Aug. 22-24), and Geo Soul Theatre with George Darden's Pieces of a Dream (Sept. 19-21).
"Michael Walker's plays tend to have historical value about the black experience, plus more poetry and music," says McCallum. "But the other pieces we're producing have a comedic aspect and feature characters that are often aspiring or upwardly mobile. Poverty and anger have to be addressed, but so do relationships, family and friends, and we've been getting enthusiastic feedback on the contemporary shows."
According to McCallum, depicting African-American characters who represent a strong middle class—thanks in no small measure to the influence of successful, more mainstream writers like Tyler Perry—draws a more diverse audience.
"We've expanded the fest," says Whitsell, who's co-producing Shades of Black. "We're growing naturally, we've got more events, and we know that audiences want to see the African-American experience portrayed on a more relatable, day-to-day basis."
Whitsell's works concern the issues surrounding family dysfunction and personal acceptance, and one of his shows has a multicultural cast including Asian, Caucasian and Hispanic players. "The fest is definitely not limited to African Americans," he says, "and we've been seeing a spike in our attendance among non-blacks with recent productions like 70% Club and Topdog/Underdog."
Los Angeles-based film/TV actress Phyllis Yvonne Stickney (How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Malcolm X, What's Love Got to Do With It) will serve as the festival's special guest. She conducts an acting workshop and performs her one-woman show, P.S. I'm Still Standing, on Sept. 20.
"Phyllis was excited about the festival," says Whitsell, "and obviously we were interested in her. She even reduced her appearance fee to accommodate us."
Other highlights include a Sept. 3 short film showcase, a Sept. 13 directing workshop led by Andre Minkins and, back from last year by popular demand, a Sept. 20 poetry jam. Sept. 4 features readings of new short plays, some of which arrived in Nashville via African American Playwrights Exchange dramaturg Jaz Dorsey, who operates locally but connects to original scripts through national outreach.
"Theater is a way to empower ourselves," says Whitsell. "We're still working at a very grassroots level, but we try not to compromise the art despite budget limitations."
For a complete schedule of events, visit shadesofblackfestival.com. For tickets, phone 781-3904 or write shadesofblackfestival@yahoo.com.
Home sweet home—for now
Improv Nashville execs Emily Volman and Scott Field recently announced that the 3-year-old comedy ensemble will become the sole resident of the 12th South Arts Venue. IN will sublease the former fellowship hall at 2907 12th Ave. S. (upstairs from Las Paletas) through May 2009, at which time the company will decide where it will continue to entertain its growing following. In the meantime, plans are in the works to administer a quick facelift to the current performance space in preparation for an expanded schedule of events commencing in September, with two shows nightly on Fridays and Saturdays. The venue overhaul is scheduled for the last week in August, and the company welcomes anyone who can contribute construction know-how or sweat equity to the endeavor. Call 418-0905 for more info.
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