Howard University's Department
of Theatre Arts is an internationally
acclaimed leader and producer of
artistic merit. Each season the
Department of Theatre Arts
presents classical and
contemporary plays in its two-theatre complex. These plays offer
not only entertainment, but also a
forum for ideas and discussion.
On Stage: Current Productions ~ Be the First to Know!
2012-2013 Theatre and Dance Season
RECLAIMING THE BLACK BODY:
IDENTITY, DISCOURSE, AND POLITICS
Enter into the exciting world of The Ira Aldridge Theater and Environmental Theatre Space 2012-2013 season. The full five-production lineup continues the Department of Theatre Art’s ongoing commitment to the highest quality and thrilling performances. The coming season covers territory from young women and street violence and the “Venus Hottentot” along with an array of dance styles ranging from traditional to contemporary. The upcoming productions will delight, enflame and mesmerize audiences.
THE LEGACY PROGRAM RESIDENCY: COLLEGIATE EDITION at HOWARD UNIVERSITY
April 19 - 20, 2013
In the Environmental Theatre Space (ETS)
Come witness a once in a lifetime reveal as 8 artists take you on their journey to reconnect themselves and their families to their African ancestry.
You are cordially invited to witness the culminating theatrical performance of the Legacy Program: Residency COLLEGIATE EDITION at Howard University starring Department of Theatre Arts seniors: Lauren Banks, Edwin Brown III, Asha Edwards, Marquis Gibson, Jeff Kirkman III, Mary Miller, and Briana Morris.
Friday, April 19 - 7:30pm
Saturday, April 20 - 7:30pm
Tickets: Suggested Donation - $10.00
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Click Here to Download Full Press Release
FOR THE LOVE OF...DANCE
April 12 - 13, 2013
Artistic Director Patricia Thomas In the Ira Aldridge Theater
“The students had stamina, precision and stage presence...their sophistication allowed the artist to expand his choreography and let his ideas flow!” – The Washington Post
Celebrating the many faces and voices of Dance through African, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern and Ballet styles the confirmed featured guest artist who will be contributing to this year’s Dance concert is Rennie Harris RHAW. Ronald K. Brown (Evidence, A Dance Company), Ray Mercer (The Lion King), Hope Boykin (Alvin Ailey Dance Company), Zane Booker (Smoke, Lillies, and Jade Arts Initiative), and Alumna Danielle Glover (StepAfrika) have all been commissioned to set dance pieces on the Howard Dance students, and this exciting choreography will be featured as part of the concert. Faculty choreographers, Katherine J. Smith and Baba Assane Konte, have also lent their talents and will present original Modern and African choreography.
FOR THE LOVE OF…DANCE is the year-long culmination and final presentation of the Howard Dance students learned performance skills of dance. The concert combines all of the theoretical classroom instruction, studio techniques, rehearsal, and performance skills into one setting for performance. The program features a wide range of choreographers and dance styles to include Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, African as well as other techniques. The theme of this Spring dance concert is an edgy way to motivate the dancers to remember what they love most to do… just DANCE.
Friday – Saturday, April 12 – 13 at 7:30pm Saturday, April 13 at 2:30pm
I TOO SING AMERICA: THE LIFE AND POETRY OF LANGSTON HUGHES developed and devised by Andrew Jackson Moore & Raymond O. Caldwell
directed by Raymond O. Caldwell
musical direction by Bert Cross
choreography by Sandra Holloway
February 27 – 28, March 1 – 2, 6 – 9, 2013
In the Ira Aldridge Theater ― “A World Premier”―
4 ½ star review of “I Too Sing America” from Joel Markowitz and his team at the DC Metro Theatre Arts
I Too Sing America: The Life and Poetry of Langston Hughes explores the work and biography of one of America's greatest poets. From the hotel kitchen where he emerged a "bus boy poet," to the glamour of the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes' struggle for artistic and intellectual integrity is told in his own words and through his poetry, re-imagined and reinvented for the stage. Also featuring jazz and Great American Songbook classics, the revue explores the major themes in Hughes' work: Race in a Jim Crow America, his political awakening amid the despair of the Great Depression and the marriage of blues and jazz rhythms that found voice in some of his greatest poems.
Wednesday – Saturday
February 27 – 28, March 1 – 2, 6 – 9, 2013 at 7:30pm Saturday, March 2 and 9 at 2:30pm
THE COLORED MUSEUM
by George C. Wolfe
directed by Zakiyia Gray February 6 – 10, 2013 In the Environmental Theatre Space
― “More than a Museum Piece” – The The New York Times Review
George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum premiered in 1986, and years later, it’s still uproariously funny and often unsettling. Made up of 11 “exhibitions,” the play takes aim at stereotypes, self-loathing and assimilation within the African American community. While some plays don’t age well, Wolfe’s themes still resonate.
TICKETS: $8 Students, $10 Faculty/Staff/Alumni/Senior Citizens; $17 General Admission
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Click Here to Download Full Press Release
READING: WILDER'S CLASSIC ONE-ACTS
Monday, February 11, 2013, at 7 p.m. – FREE!
Ford’s Theatre presents an evening of classic one-acts by Thornton Wilder, read by students from American, Georgetown and Howard universities. The evening includes The Long Christmas Dinner, Pullman Car Hiawatha and The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden.
This event is presented in conjunction with the 75th anniversary production of Our Town, playing at Ford’s Theatre from January 25-February 24, 2013.
Support provided by Samuel French.
Tickets are free but required. Tickets are available to groups/members beginning November 9. Tickets are available to the general public beginning November 26.
A Sweet Melancholy Longing that breaks the Heart! VENUS
by Suzan-Lori Parks directed by Eric Ruffin November 8 – 11, 2012 In the Ira Aldridge Theater
― “A brilliant mix of vaudeville, spectacle and poetry.” – The Chicago Stage Review
VENUS tells the story of Saartje Baartman, a young woman from Southern Africa who was brought to London in 1810. Baartman's ample backside was a feature considered desirable in her native society, but freakish to European eyes. Baartman was put on display and won fame as "The Venus Hottentot." She was taken to Paris where she died at the age of 24. Naturalists in Paris performed a complete dissection, preserving her skeleton, her brain, and her sexual organs which were said to be unique. In death as in life, the body of the Hottentot Venus was put on display. She remained in the Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle until April 2002 when her remains were returned to her native South Africa and buried with full national honors.
DC METRO THEATRE ARTS REVIEW
‘Venus’ at Howard University’s Department of Theatre Arts by Veronique MacRae
*Due to Storm Sandy and the impact of loosing two days of our production schedule, we will not have a show on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012 - 7:30pm - Pay What You Can Night
Friday, November 9, 2012 - 7:30pm - $5 Ticket Night
Saturday, November 10, 2012 - 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, November 11, 2012 - 3:00pm & 7:30pm
TICKETS: $7 Students, $10 Faculty/Staff/Alumni/Senior Citizens; $17 General Admission
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Click Here to Download Full Press Release
THE COMMODIFICATION OF BOOTY: FROM SAARTJE BAARTMAN, TO NICKI MINAJ,
TO GIRLS UNNAMED
VENUS Symposium Moderated by Professor Otis Ramsey-Zoe, MFA November 9, 2012 – 11:00am - 1:00pm In the Ira Aldridge Theater
This symposium will explore the life and legacy of Saartjie Baartman, famously known as “Hottentot Venus,” a South African woman with protruding buttocks who was exhibited throughout Europe in the early 1800s.
Guest presenters include: Holly Bass, Artist Kim Brown, Howard University Department of History Sindile Dlamini, HU SERVE, Serve and Learn Coordinator
Student Presenters, Maleke Glee, Paige Reynolds, Keaira Simpkins
A Contemporary Play about Female Gangs! BREATH, BOOM by Kia Corthron directed by Danielle Drakes associate director Raymond Caldwell October 3, 2012 – October 13, 2012 In the Environmental Theatre Space
― ...the most precisely planned chaos you ever saw.... – Kia Corthron
Written for the Royal Court Theatre in London, Breath, Boom is based on extensive research on the lives of young women and street violence. The plot revolves around fourteen years (age 16 to 30) in the life of Prix, a female gang member from New York who escapes her hardened life with dreams of creating the perfect fireworks display. We follow Prix’s life as she travels from the streets to juvenile reformatory to jail and back to the streets again. Chronicling her dreams, passions, and hopes as well as violence, pain, and her obsession with firework, Corthron presents an accurate look at this slice of life, complete with the tough and sometimes poetic language used by the individuals experiencing it.
TICKETS: $7 Students, $10 Faculty/Staff/Alumni/Senior Citizens; $17 General Admission
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Click Here to Download Full Press Release
PHOTO CREDIT: Justin Knight
Fight Call Rehearsal with Fight Director, Matthew R. Wilson, Director, Danielle Drakes and Associate Director, Raymond Caldwell
THE ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT OF GIRL GANGS AND THEIR IMPACT ON SOCIETY
BREATH, BOOM Symposium Moderated by Professor Denise J. Hart, MFA October 12, 2012 – 11:00am - 1:00pm In the Ira Aldridge Theater
Andridia Mapson, PhD, LCSW
“The Prevalence and Treatment of Mental Health Issues Among Incarcerated Girls”
Lisa Biggs, MA Performing "Rehabilitation": Theatre for Incarcerated Women and Girls
Student Presenters
“How does Breath Boom connect to the Howard University Mission Statement?” Kayla Lindsey, senior Radio, TV & Film major, Theatre Arts Minor Jasmine Franklin, sophomore Audio Production major, Theatre Arts Minor
In conjunction with the production of BREATH, BOOM, the Department of Theatre Arts will host a symposium titled, Striving to Survive: The Arrested Development of Girl Gangs and Their Impact On Society on October 12, 2012 from 11am- 1pm in the historic Ira Aldridge Theater. This dialogue session will include short presentations from experts and Howard University students surrounding young women and gang violence.
The season begins with BREATH, BOOM, a play on the lives of female gang members and street violence written by Kia Corthron. Continuing with VENUS, Suzan-Lori Parks tells the story of Sartje Baartman, a young woman from Southern Africa who was put on display and won fame as "The Venus Hottentot." Our Spring 2013 Semester productions will include a student produced work by THE HOWARD PLAYERS, along with the ANNUAL SPRING MUSICAL (actual productions will be announced). And the season concludes with our ANNUAL SPRING DANCE CONCERT showcasing an array of dance styles from Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and African featuring original works by Senior Majors, Faculty, and Guest Artists.
