Black History Month (2021)

We are excited to present four free virtual events this February as part of “We Rise: MKE’s Celebration of Black History Month.” The celebration will honor the tremendous contributions that African American artists, administrators, and audiences have made to Milwaukee Rep and the City of Milwaukee. Events will take place on Monday nights at 7pm CT via Facebook Live and YouTube Live.

To Be Young, Gifted and Black: A Celebration of Lorraine Hansberry
Monday, February 1, 7pm CT (2021)
Facebook Live / YouTube Live

The night will feature an original poem performed by Wisconsin’s poet laureate Dasha Kelly Hamilton; interviews with icon in African American film, television and theater Phyllis Yvonne Stickney and Tony and Grammy Nominee Valisia LeKae who played Lorraine Hansberry in the Off-Broadway production of Sweet Lorraine; and a reunion of the artists from Milwaukee Rep’s 2012/13 Season production of A Raisin in the Sun including Mildred Marie Langford, Greta Oglesby, Director Ron OJ Parson and Braylen Stevens.

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize - A Celebration of Black Theater Artists
Monday, February 8, 7pm CT (2021)
Facebook Live / YouTube Live

Hear from African American artists, past and present at Milwaukee Rep who are onstage and behind-the-scenes showcasing the many roles that create art in Milwaukee. The evening features Milwaukee Rep artists including choreographer Natrea Blake, costume designer Kara Harmon, stage manager Tara Kelly, actor and hair/wig designer Nikiya Mathis, director Tyrone Phillips and actor and director Ryan Quinn, Board Trustee James Phelps, and staff members including Tammy Belton-Davis, N’Jameh Camara, Devin Christor, Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj and Hope Parow. This event will be emceed by 88Nine’s Tarik Moody. 

It Takes A Village - A Conversation with Black Artists in Milwaukee
Monday, February 15, 7pm CT (2021)
Facebook Live / YouTube Live

Join us for a town hall with members of the Milwaukee Black Theater Community to showcase their work and discuss the plethora of contributions African American artists and administrators have made over the years in Milwaukee. Featuring La’Ketta Caldwell from LUMIN Schools; Jade Charon of 30:11 by Jane Charon; Catina Cole from MPower Theater; DiMonte Henning from Lights! Camera! Soul! and Milwaukee Rep EPR alum; Chiké Johnson actor and founder of Cheeks Films; Dr. Donte McFadden of Milwaukee Film Black Lens; Sheri Williams Pannell actor, director and Producing Artistic Director of Bronzeville Arts Ensemble; Malkia Stampley actor, director and co-founder of Milwaukee Black Theater Festival and Barbara Wanzo of Black Arts MKE.  The conversation will be moderated by Tammy Belton-Davis and Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj.

It Takes A Village event sponsored by: Sam's Place

The Ground on Which I Stand - A Celebration of August Wilson
Monday, February 22, 7pm CT (2021)
Facebook Live / YouTube Live

The evening honors the prolific life and legacy of August Wilson in the American Theater. Keynote speaker Ebony Jo-Ann will detail her personal and professional relationship in collaboration with Mr. Wilson over her 40+ year career in the entertainment industry. Past and current August Wilson Monologue Competition participants will also take center stage along with a discussion on the Women of August Wilson and the power of his characters with panelists including actors Sadé Ayodele, Tonia Jackson, Ebony Jo-Ann, Greta Oglesby and Malkia Stampley-Johnson moderated by N’Jameh Camara and Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj.

The series will close with the premiere of Rise: An African American Word Quilt by Indo-Afro- Caribbean, award-winning American theater artist, activist, and Milwaukee Rep Associate Artistic Producer Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj. Inspired by August Wilson's “The Ground on Which I Stand,” Rise: An African American Word Quilt celebrates the past, present, and future of the Black Arts Movement in America.  Rise features Sadé Ayodele, Tammy Belton-Davis, Natrea Blake, Warren Buliox, La'Ketta Caldwell, N'Jameh Camara, DiMonte Henning, Tonia Jackson, Ebony Jo-Ann, Tara Kelly, Mildred Langford, Valisia LeKae, Lauren Morgan, Greta Oglesby, Hope Parow, Ron OJ Parson, Ryan Quinn, Christopher Rowland, Malkia Stampley-Johnson, Braylen Stevens and Phyllis Yvonne Stickney. 

We Rise: MKE’s Celebration of Black History Month is in partnership with: