The Billie Holiday Theatre, in partnership with Bed-Stuy Art House, will present Happy Birthday Malcolm & Lorraine: A Return to Foundation Through Theater Arts and Live Music on May 15.
The one-night program marks the shared birthday of Malcolm X and Lorraine Hansberry. The event combines original short plays, live music and contemporary performance, focusing on how the work of both figures continues to shape artistic expression and cultural identity. Rather than presenting their legacies as historical reflection, the program frames their ideas as ongoing points of engagement for artists and audiences.
“Malcolm and Lorraine helped shape how generations understood dignity, freedom and the power of thought,” said Shaun Neblett, producer and curator at the Bed-Stuy Art House. “This event is about returning to foundation and carrying those teachings forward through living art.”
Malcolm X’s emphasis on self-determination, discipline and Black consciousness, alongside Hansberry’s examination of race, class and power, informs the structure of the evening. The performances explore how those themes remain relevant in current social and creative contexts, linking past movements to present-day narratives.
The program features original work by Shaun Neblett, Nambi E. Kelley and Felicia Cade, with music direction by Cinque Kemp. Together, the artists use theater and sound to examine how historical influence continues to inform contemporary practice.
“This work speaks directly to our mission at The Billie—to uplift storytelling that is rooted in history and responsive to the moment,” said Shadawn Smith, executive director of the Billie. “Happy Birthday Malcolm & Lorraine! invites audiences to engage two visionary voices whose impact continues to resonate across generations.”
Tickets and additional information are available here.
