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    • SEASON SIX
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      • SLEEP OVER STORIES
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      • The Subject
    • SEASON THREE >
      • RACHEL
      • LAS MENINAS
    • Season Two >
      • THE DEATH OF BESSIE SMITH
      • AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
      • VIŞNE BAHÇESI (THE CHERRY ORCHARD)
      • READ REVIVE RECLAIM
    • Season One >
      • BED-STUY ALIVE! FESTIVAL
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  • Home
  • About Us
  • Production History
    • SEASON SIX
    • SEASON FIVE >
      • Precious Things
    • SEASON FOUR >
      • SLEEP OVER STORIES
      • MAN IN LOVE
      • The Subject
    • SEASON THREE >
      • RACHEL
      • LAS MENINAS
    • Season Two >
      • THE DEATH OF BESSIE SMITH
      • AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
      • VIŞNE BAHÇESI (THE CHERRY ORCHARD)
      • READ REVIVE RECLAIM
    • Season One >
      • BED-STUY ALIVE! FESTIVAL
  • News
  • Support Us
  • Contact

READ REVIVE RECLAIM

In June of 2014, New Brooklyn Theatre launched a monthly series of readings of historic, but seldom seen, plays by African American playwrights. The series began with the oldest surviving play written by an African-American playwright, and moved forward chronologically, from the Antebellum period through the Harlem Renaissance.

Revisiting these lost treasures provoked a much-needed conversation about the construction of the canon of American theatre. How might our theatrical practices and assumptions be transformed by engaging these forgotten chapters of our collective past?

After hearing the plays performed and listening to audiences, Rachel was chosen as the play that would receive a full production in our third season.

All of the readings were performed in Bed-Stuy’s Akwaaba Mansion.

Picture

The Escape 
by William Wells Brown

June 22, 2014
Dir. by Carl Cofield

Cast
Sheyenne Javonne Brown
Chris Cook
Toni Ann DeNoble
Matthew Dunivan
Jack Gallagher
Anthony Golden Jr.
Jarvis Griggs
Kristie Larson
Lauren Lattimore
Samantha Levitt
Adam Petchel
Ben Prayz
Phillip Shinn
Marcel Spears
Nate Steinwachs
Justin Thomas
Picture

Dessalines
by William Edgar Easton

July 27, 2014
Dir. by Reginald Douglas

Cast

Stephon Bishop
Bjorn DuPaty
Toni Ann DeNoble
Jack Gallagher
Marcus D. Harvey
Miriam A. Hyman
Paul Notice
Larry Powell
Marcel Spears
Justin Thomas
Chinaza Uche
Picture

Rachel
by Angelina Weld Grimké

August 24, 2014
Dir. by Ebony Noelle Golden

Cast
Amara James Aja
Segun Akande
Lynette R. Freeman
Audrey Hailes
Comfort Katchy
Chinaza Uche
C. Kelly Wright
Picture

Cold Keener
by Zora Neale Hurston

September 21, 2014
Dir. by Courtney Harge
Produced in association with 
Colloquy Collective

Cast
Ayomide Akinsanya
Sheyenne Javonne Brown
Toni Ann DeNoble
Seth Diggs
Jerron Herman
Lauren Lattimore
Wi-Moto Nyoka
David Arlington Smith
Justin Thomas

New Brooklyn Theatre

Photography provided by David Willems, Amanda Mustard, and Kristina Williamson.
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