Kc melting pot theatre

KC Melting Pot Theatre strives to create a public sphere where the contributions of emerging and established Black playwrights can be shared in an enriching community environment. It works toward building diverse, equitable, and inclusive theater experiences that teach, critique, and model a better America; identifies, trains, and kc melting pot theatre theater talent from historically underserved communities; and it collaborates with artists across the diversity spectrum to create work dedicated to social change. In the two decades of its existence, KC Melting Pot has become one of the most intriguing and provocative arts groups in Town, with its savvy mix of classics by August Wilson, Ntozake Shange, and Amiri Baraka and a bold series of new plays by locally based playwrights such as Lewis Morrow, kc melting pot theatre. Learn more at KCMeltingPot.

With the theater being in production for its 10 th year and welcoming one of the most diverse audiences in the city, I can say that the passion and dedication was evident from the moment I walked through the doors. As a first-time visitor to the theater, I found myself feeling immersed in the experience. The upbeat staff greeted me at the door and gave clear directions on seating. After taking my seat, I took note of the structure of the room. There were three audience sections wrapped around the stage, which made it hard to choose as every seat would provide a comfortable view, yet a unique perspective. As the low chatter filled the room, my eyes wandered through the different elements of the stage design.

Kc melting pot theatre

Over a number of recent productions, the KC Melting Pot Theater has chosen to explore questions about the ways in which race and class play out in the acts of producing and consuming theatre. The company has put on a number of plays that are specifically about the ways in which race informs the plays themselves and the institution of theater—the implications of putting on plays about race and racism, often with all or majority-POC casts, for audiences that are, on an institutional level, still usually majority white. These questions have been central to quite a few Melting Pot shows, but Fairview takes them to an entirely new level, using structure-busting absurdity to push our expectations and our assumptions as far as possible. The play, written by Jackie Sibblies Drury and winner of the Pulitzer prize, tells the story of an unassuming, even borderline dull upper-middle-class Black family. This is, by all accounts, a pretty quotidian comedy of manners. The moment comes so late in the play around the minute mark and is so brief that it actually feels jarring, and like a structural misstep. From here, Fairview is a staunchly unreviewable play for any playgoers who want to remain unaware of its massive second-act twist. I will say that I was exceptionally glad to know absolutely nothing about this show going into it. These characters, as you might have guessed, are white. Or rather, they are not African-American. It seems as though they were all written as white, or at least played by white actors in the original production.

The play draws us in with its increasingly extreme humor but as it becomes more comedic, it also becomes more insidious as the surveyor characters talk over the Black characters and talk for them, kc melting pot theatre, making themselves central to a story they insist on taking full control of before the whole show abruptly twists once again to land its poignant final moments. Our Director of New Play Development is at it again!

Family dynamics are often fodder for comic relief and a staple for writers — including playwrights. Their plan is to confront their sister, Barbara, about her drug and alcohol use and convince her to go to rehab. She explains that the main subjects are "intervention, addiction, family dynamics, politics and the kind of universality of those issues. Brittany Evans plays another sister, Marie, who, also struggles with addiction. But, she says, the dialogue is surprisingly funny. The same characters, the same situation — but they are Black instead of white.

This month marks a first in the history of Kansas City theater — a local playwright will see three of his works published by an internationally respected publishing house in a single volume. Linda is the general manager. Gradually and with determination the theater company has grown the scope of its mission and solidified its structure. What began as essentially a community theater is now professional. Bloomsbury, a publishing house whose history includes a unique distinction as the original publisher of J. Morrow, despite the fact that he will be among such august company, said he felt a bit like a spectator as the book release looms.

Kc melting pot theatre

KC Melting Pot Theatre will require proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test within the last 48 hours for audiences, volunteers, performers, crew, and theatre staff. Proof can be provided by presenting either a physical or digital copy along with ID. Properly worn masks will be required for everyone inside the theatre building except for performers during the performance. Masks will be available for anyone who forgets to bring one. In addition to the lobby, the Penn Valley room will be open to allow more distancing before and after performances. Social Distance must be maintained in the theatre for all performances by allowing at least one empty seat between each household.

Melody black ink crew

The open scene shakes the house, as the stage is dimmed starkly and the footsteps, clapping hands, and voices of the cast echo as they file into the church. No one here has the answers because the point of the play is to raise questions—questions of who gets to be centered in these conversations, of what it really means to be able to tell your own stories and to make space for others to do so. Create a website or blog at WordPress. This event will be held every 3 rd Tuesday of the month and FREE to attend of course, you can always donate if you want. The play, written by Jackie Sibblies Drury and winner of the Pulitzer prize, tells the story of an unassuming, even borderline dull upper-middle-class Black family. But, she says, the dialogue is surprisingly funny. Not that Bets has a perspective free of ignorance, having the privilege of wealth and clearly considering her above the entire issue, which she dismisses as being exclusively American and therefore not worth discussing. You'll soon be able to find more Black Kansas Citians on Wikipedia. For more information, visit www. Categories Online Reviews Theater Reviews. Email Required Name Required Website.

Requirements: Prepare two contrasting monologues dramatic and comedic —preferably contemporary material.

I knew then, the story would only continue to draw me in. Our Director of New Play Development is at it again! Type your email…. Seeing the full suits, ankle-length skirts, embellished hats on the women, the handheld fans waving with the hums of agreement with the word, brought me back to my own upbringing in the church. It became a revelation on the impact of music in general, how it can change the tone of conversations and attitudes. Search for: Search Begin typing your search above and press return to search. The moment comes so late in the play around the minute mark and is so brief that it actually feels jarring, and like a structural misstep. KCMPT creates thought provoking, professional productions that reveal the rich contributions that African Americans have made to the theatrical tradition in the United States. Click Here to watch. Send me an email at lauras kcur. Unique in its field, it is the only publication to focus primarily on the cultural, philanthropic and social aspects of Our Town.