Life Moment Updates

Amiri Baraka Memorial (Johannesburg, South Africa)

               I’ve been invited by the Department of Arts and Culture (South Africa) to participate in memorial services for Amiri Baraka on Wednesday, January 22nd 2014. I was first introduced to his plays Dutchman and The Slave as an undergraduate theatre major at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was a pivotal moment in my development as an artist and a young black man. His words had the power to reveal the weight of history in a contemporary moment. Many years later I would perform Dutchman in Johannesburg South Africa and found his work just as potent in this post-apartheid context. The relevance of his work unfortunately continues to strike chord in a world were liberation and freedom are still being fought for in every corner of the globe. It especially rings true for those whom he first sought to educate and unshackle. He wasn’t content to write from his corner of Newark, but was one of the key architects and drivers of the Black Arts Movement. A movement that harnessed the power of artist to liberate, educate and empower Black people during the civil rights movement and beyond.  The seeds that were planted during the Black Arts Movement continue to bear fruit in my work as a commercial artist and as an Artivist (Artist + Activist). I’m honored to add my voice to the many that are celebrating his life and legacy. Thank you Amiri Baraka aka Leroi Jones. 

---

WE ARE HERE in Tembisa

First Tembisa workshop (December 2014)

 Since being back in South Africa I’ve jumped head first back into We Are Here! On February 1st, 2014 we will conduct our second workshop with TX Theatre Productions located in Tembisa. The company is comprised of young men who devise socially and culturally relevant theatre. I will be co-facilitating the workshops with WAH ambassadors, Abel Mokwevho and Simphiwe Makapela

---

The Hunting of the Snark at the University of Michigan

              From May 17th -24th , 2014 I’ll be at the University of Michigan participating in a workshop and lecture demonstration performance of The Hunting of the Snark. The piece will be directed by Anita Gonzalez. It’s an exciting process that is allowing me to work within an ensemble while exploring movement based devising, traditional storytelling and projection mapping!