? f :
CALENDAR OF PLAYS
Ufetimes on the Streets
The legendary Negro Ensemble Company of New York City will
be performing in Winston-Salem as part of the 1991 National Black
Theatre Festival.
New York critics have been raving about the Negro Ensemble's
Provocative new drama, Lifetimes on the Streets. The collage of
characters in Lifetime on The Streets are captivating. Gus Edwards,
the playwright of this new hit play, has triumphed in recreating a
world and a way of life that both celebrates and mourns the city of
Harlem. The characters through their own diverse experiences, tell
ijs what a paradise Harlem used to be and how it is getting colder
? a new ice age is setting in.
According to New York critics, the award-winning Negro
Ensemble Company has produced this play with brilliant acting and
staging. Under the direction of artistic director, Douglas Turner
Ward, the Negro Ensemble Company has possibly found the same
formula for success that has brought fame to their stage produc
tions of A Soldier's Play and Ceremonies Of Dark Old Men, Beauti
ful, teasing music, recorded by Lisa Lf Watson, and the spirit-filled
directing of Douglas Turner Ward completes a package that guaran
tees a thoroughly satisfying evening of professional theatre.
Performances will be held in Reynolds" Auditorium, located at
301 N. Hawthorne Road. The show starts at 8:00 pm on Thursday,
August 8th, and Friday, August 9th; and on Saturday, August 10th,
there will be two showings, 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10
and may be picked up from the Festival headquarters at 601 Colise
um Drive. Major Credit Cards will be accepted. For reservations and
more information call 7^3-7907.
f
n
i\*:
M
t
U r
'?1
Uti
Cric? Crac! and
Dark Cowgirls
Tennessee's Carj^jbag Tfcaati^. vyill present "Cric?Crac!" and
we.Qfoe^rt**, Tueeday, August 6 and
^ iVX A i ' ? " ? ? ? - ?
"Dark Qowgirls and ?r awe
Wednesday, August 7 at tHe Kffc
School of the Arts Performance
Place for the 1991 National Black Theatre Festival. Both produc
tions were a hit at the '89 Festi\teiHn f
is a different kind of children's theatre. It is a col
frtoa and the United States, intend
"Cric?Crac!*
lection of folk tales from Haiti, Afi
ed to show the similarities in African folk literature around the world.
"Cric?Crac!" will presented at 10;30am on Tuesday, August 6.
"Dark Cowgirls and Prairfe Queens" is an adventure into
yesteryear examining the struggles and personal victories of some
unusual pioneer women of the Old West. "Cowgirls" examines the
role of black women in (he settling of America. "Dark Cowgirls and
Prairie Queens" will run Tuesday, August 6 at 8:00 p.m. and repeat
performances at 3:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7.
These performances are highly recommended for families and
youth groups. For ticket reservations, contact the 1991 National
Black Theatre Festival headquarter office at (919) 723-7907.
Carpetbag Theatre was founded in 1970 by W. F. Lucas,
according to Linda Parris-Bailey, artistic director. The five-member
touring company is based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Although Car
petbag is often on the road, ParrisfBailey says. "We are committed
to making the voices of our community heard ... we want to give
something back to the community ? as positive image of itself.
"Dark cowgirls and Prairie Queens" was written by Ms. Parris
Bailey with the help of her fellow actors. The inspiration for the play
began several years ago when Carpetbag was asked to perform for
Black History Month. She came across a book called The Black
West and began developing vignettes based on the women she dis
covered in the text. What began as 15-minute-long piece became a
1830 and 1890.
Pill Hill
The Penumbra Theatre Company, the only professional Black
Theatre in Minnesota, will present the emotionally powerful story of
Pitt HiTI at the 1991 National Black Theatre Festival. This play dra
matically brings to life the struggle that plagues all Americans, the
struggle to better their surroundings. During the course of the play
we experience the pressures of six black Chicago steel workers as
they try to move up the economic ladder. Pill Hill is an interesting
study of the sociological and emotional problems of Black America
during the revolutionary period of 1973-1983. From the very begin
ning of the play everything causes a reaction from the audience up
to and not excluding the costumes of floral shirts and bell bottom
trousers and finally culminates with the Reagan-era materialistic
obsessiveness of the 1980's. The price of assimilations rose to its
highest level as the African American chased the pot of gold at the
end of the rainbow.
The Penumbra Theatre Company, after years of successfully
producing Black Theatre, has found an American classic in this new
play by Samuel Kelly. This is a show that will keep the audience at
the edge of their seats and linger in their minds. It is a piece that will
force all those who see it to rethink their priorities and challenge
society's values. Pill Hill will change how status symbols like Cadil
lacs and jewelry are viewed by those who are lucky enough to
experience this powerful piece. It is truly an ensemble piece that
should not be missed. As we leave the "me first" 80's and get into
the 90's it is a chance to look at ourselves through the arts and
make a choice as to which direction we will take.
Performance dates are Tuesday, August 6 and Wednesday,
August 7 in Reynolds Auditor'1 ?m, located on 310 N. Hawthorne
Road. Call The Festival headquar. ^rs for more information at 723
7907. Major credit cards will be accepted. Tickets sale now for $10
and are available for pick up at 610 Coliseum Drive.
Power play to kick off NBTF series
lorey Hayes, a North Carolinian actress
and playwright who has starred in numerous
television shows, commercials, and on Broad
way, will have her play Powerplay featured in
the 1991 National Black Theatre Festival.
Ms. Hayes4 Powerpfay has been eftosen
to kick off the "Conversations at Midnight"
series. This exciting new series features some
of the countries' hottest new playwrights show
casing their plays for producers, investors, and
?celebrities looking for-new -zoles ior ihem-_
selves.
It is a rare opportunity for the general pub
lic to get a first-hand look at shows before they
go to Broadway. Powerplay and the "Conver
sations at Midnight" series is open to the gen
eral public.
Each play of the series will be held follow
ing the celebrity reception as a late-night-cap
per. "Conversations at Midnight" is the climax
of the evening. .
Powerplay will be performed on Tuesday,
Attffiret 6, immediately following the Avery
Brooks reception in the Bethabra Room of the
Winston-Salem Stouffer Hotel at 11:15 p.m.
Powerplay will be performed by some of
television and Broadway's finest award-win
ning stars including Jerome Preston Bates,
Laurie Carlos, Iris Little, Denise Mickelberry,
and Lia Chang.- ?
Powerplay is being produced by Broad
way's Mr. Voza Rivers ( Safafina , Asinamali,
and Woza Africa) and Mr. Herman Jones, co
producer of the National Black Touring Circuit
and one of the organizers of the 1991 National
BtaeKTheatre Festival.
Powerplay was chosen for the series by
Mr> Garland Thompson of New York's Frank
Silvera's Writer's Workshop and festival pro
ducers Larry Leon Hamlin and Herman Jones.
Playwright, Lorey Hayes, was born and
raised in Wallace, N.C. She graduated with
honors from North Carolina A&T and was
recently recognized for outstanding, contribu
tions by the New York. A&T Alumni Chapter.
Lorey Hayes starred on Broadway in Ina
cent Black with Melba Moore and The Negro
Ensemble Company's production of Home, by
Samm-Art Williams, as well as numerous off
Broadway and regional productions including
the controversial play Generations of the
Dead at Long Wharf Theatre.
She-was most recently featured~on ~
Cosby Show as Mrs. McKechnie and has had
gt&esWoles on numerous television shows
including All My Children, Ryan's Hope, and
The Doctors.
Ms. Hayes has performed in over 200
national television commercials including the
most recent Scope It's "Time for a Kiss."
Lorey Hayes
Ms. Hayes (along with writing partner
Melinda Mallari) has written and sold three
television series and performs her poetry wide
ly. Powbrplay was developed in The Negro ~
Ensefftble Company's Playwrighting Unit.
She is a member of the Dramatist Guild
and The Black Filmmaker's Foundation.
Rich arts
heritage taken
for granted
Winston-Salem and Forsyth
% County have both over the years
become a fertile area where arts
organizations of all kinds sprout^
and grow. The residents of this"
appreciate the treasure of African
American cultural legacy we have
here.
If we do not support our own
arts organizations, what will
with special guest "gospel comic
Jonathan Slocumb. Comprised of
200 young people, this spirit-filled
groups represents every communi- .
ty, church and school in Winston
Salem.
Presently at the Diggs Gallery
on the campus of Winston-Salem
State, is the exhibit "Field to Facto
ry, Afro- American Migration 1915
40" from the Smithsonian Institu
tion, which brings to life an impor
tant part of our heritage. This -
exhibit as well as the performance
mentioned above are only two
examples of the vitality of our cul
tural heritage that deserves to be
seen and appreciated.
The Arts Council of Winston
Salem and Forsyth County will pre
sent jazz artist Gary Burton in con
cert Saturday, July 27 at 8 p.m. in
the Stevens Center. Tickets are on
sale now at The Arts Council
Office, Now Here This, Discount
Records and Tapes, and The
Stevens Center. Advance $10 -
Day of the Show $12." There will
also be special rates for groups of
10 or more. For more information
call (919) 722-5293.
For more information concern
ing "The Spirit of Life Community
Choir," call (919) 72^-0901. For
more information concerning the
Diggs Gallery exhibition, call- (91 9)
750-2458.
? Stevens Center ?
Something for Everyone
For ticket information
B Call 721-1946 i
ArtsReach
2s*
V:
By REGGIE JOHNSON
community benefit from the fruits of
a rich creative soil that produces
such wonderful organizations and
artists as The Spirit of Life Commu
nity Choir, The North Carolina
Black Repertory Company,
Dancers Unlimited, Delta Arts Cen
ter, Ambassadors of Christ Choir,
and The Nathan Ross Freeman
Playwrights' Showcase Ensemble -
to name only a few. Almost every
week of the year there is some
thing going on in the clubs, the
atres and churches in Winston
Salem that is created and pro
duced in celebration of our cultural
heritage. The unfortunate reality of
this all, however, is the fact that
these groups more often than not
play to less than full auditoriums.
Few people in this area seem to
become of the talent and truths
that are being presented on thev
stages in our community in an
attempt to express the African
American experience? I would like
to urge everyone in this community
to set aside the time and take
advantage of the incredible oppor
tunity we have to taste the bountiful
artistic offerings of our African
American community.
In the next few weeks there
will be some exciting events taking
place in this area that illustrate the
wonderful wealth of talent and
energy in the African-American arts
community. On Saturday, July 20
at 8 p.m. in the Stevens Center,
David L. Allen and the "Spirit of Life
Community Choir" will perform in a
live recording session and concert
'Adventures in Jazz' 1991
series starts in Carrboro
With partial funding from the
Gilbey's/NJSO Community Jazz
' Program, The ArtsCenter, and the
North Carolina Jazz Network pre
sent the Horace Tapscott Trio in'
concert, Friday, July 26 at 8 p.m., as
part of The ArtsCenter's "Adven
tures in Jazz" 1 991 Summer Jazz
Series. Tapscott's trio features Cecil
McBee (bass) and Andrew Cyrille
(drums).
Horace Tapscott is almost cer
tainly the least known of the pianists
to emerge in the 1 960s with a per
sonal style based on the playing
style of Thelonious Monk. While still
a teenager, Tapscott worked in a
high school band with Eric Dolphy
and Don Cherry. At that time, he
was still playing trombone, but he
switched to piano following a seri
ous auto accident. This led to the
beginnings of his work as a com
poser and leader of his own Los
Angeles-based Pan-African Peo
ple's Arkestra.
In addition to the support of the
Gilbey's/NJSO Community Jazz
Program, The ArtsCenter's "Adven
tures in Jazz" 1 991 Summer Series
is supported by the North Carolina
Jazz Network and a grant from Bur
roughs Wellcome Co. Media spon
sor for the series is Spectator mag
azine. The series concludes with
Tuck & Patti on Friday, August 16.
Tickets to the Horace Tapscott
Trio performance are $10-public,
$8~Friends of The ArtsCenter. Tick
ets went on sale Monday, July 8, at
The ArtsCenter Box Office. Hours
are 10 a.m. -6 p.m. weekdays and
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. Master
Card and Visa purchases can be
made by calling (919) 929-ARTS.
The ArtsCenter is a non-profit orga
nization located at 300-G East Main
Street in Carrboro.
THE WINSTON-SALEM
STATE UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF STUDENT
ACTIVITIES
presents
MARIA
HOWELL
in concert
Wednesday,
JULY 24, 1991
8 p.m.
KR. Williams
Auditorium
Concert is FREE for WSSU Students
General Public Tickets $5 at the door
Box office opens at 7 p.m.
Call 750-3350 for more information
THE LITTLE
TLE THEATREfc
miimniii :
OPENS FRIDAY
JULY 19
Music and Lyrics by ROGER MILLER
Book by WILLIAM HAUPTMAN
adapted from the novel by Mark Twain
JULY 19, 20, 25-27, AUG. 1-3 at
JULY 21,28 & AUG. 4 at 2
BOX OFFICE HOURS: TUESDAY thru SATURDAY- 12 noon to 5:30 pm
FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 725-4001
I