Ah, spring! The season of flowers, rain, growth, longer days, warmer weather, graduations, delicious palate’s of fresh fruits and vegetables from nature that nourish bodies and become the centerpiece of garden parties. For moms, with children it means school is almost out and summer is quickly approaching. For me, it’s work, work, work, and more work. It’s not as bad as it sounds.
One aspect of my job as a director of a multi-disciplinary arts organization is to provide avenues for underserved youth and adults to experience a wide array of the arts. Exposing them to the rich and vibrant culture these forms offer. In May, my organization took two students to New York to compete in the national Kenny Leon’s True Colors Next Narrative Monologue Competition. It was one of the student’s first time on a plane, and traveling out of state. They were ecstatic, a bright light shining for all to see. The gratitude and pure joy they expressed from the time they entered the audition room to when they returned home from the competition filled my soul. I live for these life-changing moments in youth, in artists. This is the power of the arts.
As an arts practitioner, part of my work is being a student, an observer, active participant and teacher. This spring I experienced the arts in abundance. From dance performances to concerts, art exhibits, writing workshops to theatre on stages small and grand, traditional and unconventional. Each encounter was a revelation. An invitation to imagine, explore, create, and grow. To excavate. To release. To be equipped and ready to give back to my community.
I witnessed the heartbreak and triumph of what it was and is to be a Black artist as I sat on the edge of my seat completely absorbed in Dulé Hill and Daniel J. Watts inspiring performance as Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Jr. in the off Broadway show, Lights Out. I’m pretty sure I told everyone I could to check it out before it closes on June 29th.
Then to see the layers of Rose peeled off in Gypsy at the Majestic Theater was an emotional roller coaster of love, disdain, irritation and sadness. But, who, oh who could recover from Audra McDonald’s breathtaking Tony Award performance of Rose’s Turn? The lump I felt in my throat as tears swelled in my eyes left me speechless searching for a way to express the magnitude of the masterclass I just witnessed. She did not win a Tony that night but, she definitely won!
Boop The Musical at the Broadhurst Theatre was vibrant, fun, exploratory and expansive in the most wonderful way. Jasmine Amy Rogers takes audiences on an unbelievable journey in and out of reality and literally never misses a beat. The voice control is something to behold. And, last but not least, because I do love a good drama, the Pulitzer Prize winning play Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. I confess, I contemplated seeing it when I heard from our monologue students and staff that the play was almost three hours. But they were so confident it was the type of play I’d love and assured me it was worth the time so I went. They were right. Purpose boasts of a stellar cast, set design and good storytelling. I was engaged from start to finish and so glad I saw it before it won a Tony Award for best new play and Latonya Richards Jackson departs from her role as the matriarch of the family.
Not theater but still in New York, in the center of Times Square stands a beautiful bronze 12-foot-tall sculpture of a full-figure Black woman. The project is titled, Grounded in the Stars by artist Thomas J. Price. I heard all of the controversy surrounding the art before I saw it. The criticism was mostly from people who get to see themselves represented all of the time. So, for Thomas J. Price “whose work often challenges traditional notions of identity and representation,” this piece is a perfect display. Yes, there were Black people admiring the sculpture up close but so were the many different cultures that make up the city of New York and the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit.
Before returning to New York, a talented and versatile artist invited me to attend a play in Virginia that she co-starred in. The entire cast did a great job. And at home I had the privilege of attending the production of Grease directed by one of my artistic colleagues and friends. The set, costumes, music , and choreography were nostalgic. It was fun to watch and completely sold out before opening night. When I returned home, I attended another sold out, one-night-only performance of Seba Kan’s, MöBAYA. Not since the production of Who I Am Celebrating Me have I seen a performance so unapologetic and culturally relevant on the stages of Portland. Aside from seeing the students and dance performances steeped in African culture, the highlight for me was the mother who was at least eight months pregnant and explosively embodied every movement with style, and grace.
As I traveled out of town and back home again surrounded by words, I stumbled upon a little bookstore in the airport. Honestly, I don’t believe I stumbled. It was divine placement. On the shelf hidden between books, lay a journal adorned with handwritten text. It read, “I know why the caged bird sings…” and I knew I had to purchase it for my friend who is working on getting her novel published and adores the words, poetry and artistry of our ancestor, Maya Angelou. Yes, divine placement from start to finish and I am so blessed and grateful to be to do the work I love. I recognize it as a privilege some may never experience. I do not take it for granted. I thank God daily for the journey and the good things and opened doors still to be revealed in this life.
The arts are under attack. It’s true. Yet this season Broadway grossed its highest revenue ever. Many think Broadway’s increased revenue is due to the abundance of options that better mirror the world we live in and I’d have to agree. And, other theaters who were already struggling before the federal funding cuts, are benefiting from revenue through donations from community members, businesses, philanthropists and even the state to support entire productions and seasons and be rescued from closure. Artists are resilient and resourceful. I hope we all receive the support needed to thrive.
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Full-Time Woman 