The Billie Holiday Theatre will present the next edition of its theater series Black Narrative, a collaboration with the award-winning New Black Fest, as part of its Spring 2025 Season.
The festival will take place between March 21 - 22, and will feature a range of events highlighting the power of Black storytelling, according to a press release.
Curated by Keith Josef Adkins, the two-day event will spotlight Brooklyn-based theatermakers, filmmakers, and thinkers, showcasing stories that reflect the innovative spirit, resilience, and joy of the African Diaspora. With performances ranging from solo productions to short films and topical conversations, the festival will feature narratives that address the complexities of identity, perseverance and the evolving social landscape.
“The New Black Fest has always revered the history and the commitment of the iconic Billie Holiday Theater so to be welcomed into their house is a rewarding experience,” said Adkins. “The New Black Fest thrives on its collaborations with important institutions and their audiences so it goes without saying that we’re looking forward to sharing courageous Black stories at the Billie.”
On March 21, the festival will kick off with a feature a presentation of $#!thole Country Clapback: A Redux, a one-woman show by Tony nominee Pascale Armand. Directed by Stephanie Rolland, Armand’s performance delivers a sharp rebuttal to former President Donald Trump’s disparaging remarks about Haiti, while also chronicling her family’s journey from Haiti to American citizenship.
Saturday, March 22, will be devoted to new voices from across the African Diaspora. The day will begin with the panel discussion How Do We Define Black Courage, moderated by Brooklyn-based arts advisor Rob Fields. The conversation will focus on the current state of Black theater and will be followed by a diverse performance by storytellers including Andrea Ambam, DN Bashir, Russell G. Jones, Nsangou Njikam, Renaldho Pelle, Liza Jessie Peterson and Lauren A. Whitehead, directed by Goldie Patrick.
Additionally, the festival will feature two short films: Renaldho Pelle’s The Fire Next Time and Liza Jessie Peterson’s Black Love Manifesto, Suite 1.
Shadawn Smith, the executive director of The Billie Holiday Theatre, said Black theater not only needs to be created, but thrive.
“With this series, we are reinforcing The Billie’s role as a beacon of innovation and creative springboard for artists and as a staple for our audiences to experience the best of theater. We are where Black theater lives!” he said.
Click here for tickets.
