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The African Grove Theatre in “The Land of the Blacks Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 7 pm
In 1821, the African Grove Theatre was built on Mercer and Bleecker Streets, in a region of New York where Blacks had previously lived for more than 175 years. The Gallatin Galleries Transformation! exhibition explores the rich history of African American theatrical stage performance as it created Black life dramas in full freedom, humanity, and citizenship. Hear from one of the Transformation! curators, Michael Dinwiddie (NYU Gallatin), about the exhibition and the African Grove Theatre and the scholarship surrounding it. Joining him will be David Tidwell, Associate Professor of Scene Design at North Carolina A&T University, will explore the construction of the African Grove Theatre’s maquette; actor Shanga Parker (NYU Tisch), who will perform two versions of a monologue from Shakespeare’s Richard III; and John Ray Proctor (Tulane University) who will discuss styles of Shakespearean performance in the 19th and 20th centuries. This event is presented as a part of Gallatin’s 2022 Black History Month programming.
Baby’s Bath Water: A Critical Look at Narratives Associated with Blackface Minstrelsy Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 7 pm Join us for a panel discussion from dramaturg and director Arminda Thomas and actor Brittany Bradford to explore the contradictory notions of blackface minstrelsy that have been expounded by scholars, practitioners, and artists. Moderated by Michael Dinwiddie (NYU Gallatin). This event is presented as a part of Gallatin’s 2022 Black History Month programming.
“I’d Go Wherever They Said Show”: The Black Patti Troubadours Wednesday, February 16 at 7 pm
Interdisciplinary artist Marta Effinger-Crichlow, author of Staging Migrations Toward an American West: From Ida B. Wells to Rhodessa Jones, will share her research on the remarkable career of Madame Sissieretta “Black Patti” Jones, an acclaimed opera singer whose 80+ person troupe disrupted systems of oppression during the genesis of Jim Crow. This event is presented as a part of Gallatin’s 2022 Black History Month programming.
From Bert Williams to Eubie Blake: Memories of Them Wednesday, February 23 at 7 pm
Broadway veteran Larry Marshall and jazz chanteuse Jeannine Otis team up to bring a classic medley of tunes by Bert Williams and Eubie Blake, including “Cousin of Mine,” “Memories of You, “Let it Alone,” and “I’m Just Wild About Harry,” accompanied by Rick Cordova on piano. This event is presented as a part of Gallatin’s 2022 Black History Month programming.