Professor, Director, Performance-Based Activist
Brittney S. Harris
Professor, Director, Performance-Based Activist
NEW PROJECT: Silhouettes: Cut to Black
Project Title- Silhouettes: Cut to Black, The Kara Walker Project
Commissioned as a part of ROUGE productions ‘arts in the community’ series, this ensemble-based devised theatre work culminates in a moving performance demonstrating some of the ways visual artist Kara Walker's black resistance work resonates today in our region of Coastal Virginia.
I devised the concept and directed this project.
Premieres April 1st. Read full production details here
Creative Scholarship/Works Highlights: March 2023
Creative Scholarship Overview for March 2023:
Highlighted
Mar. 16 & 17, CO-FOUNDER/FEATURED PANELIST
‘StoryTell(HER) Summit 2023: Her Voice, Her Narrative & Her Vision’, hosted by ODU and NSU, is an inaugural collaborative event which will provide a two-day perspective of excitement in celebration of “Diversity, Equality, and Inclusivity in honor of all things “HER”.
Mar. 23-26, PRESENTER
My narrative-based performance piece ‘Embodying Redemption Through Theatre: Performing Being B.A.D.’ has been accepted into 54th NeMLA Northeast Modern Language Association conference in Niagara Falls, NY.
Panel focus: When Resilience Isn’t Enough: Justice for Domestic and Sexual Violence Survivors.
Mar. 28-29, PRESENTER
Research and Creative Activity 2023 International Hybrid Symposium hosted by Alabama State University presenting two papers: BLAND & PEDIGREE.
More info coming soon.
Featured Workshop Presenter @ 2023 KCACTF Region IV
Invited to 2023 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region IV annual conference presenting workshop sessions on ‘ensemble-based devised theatre’ and image theatre work.
Also starting in Fall 2023, I will serve as the KCACTF Region IV 'Devised Theatre Initiative Coordinator.'
The main goal of KCACTF Region IV is to serve and support student artists:
- Welcoming the voices of all artists
- Engaging in the creative practice of storytelling through theatre
- Exploring through our art what it means to be human
More info about the KCACTF Region IV 'devised theatre initiative'
Featured Scholar: Arts & Letters Junior Faculty Forum
ODU Institute for the Humanities presents the 2023 College of Arts & Letters Junior Faculty Forum. This annual workshop brings together junior scholars to present their research in an informal, collegial atmosphere.
Presentation title:
Embodying the #Hashtag: Performance as Activism
BHM 2023: Collaboration with Barry Arts Museum
In collaboration with the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts at ODU, the Barry Art Museum will host “Coffee & Contemporary Art” on Feb. 16 in the museum’s lobby for Black History Month 2023.
I'll be performing a staged reading of my one-woman play, “The Intersection: The Sandra Bland Project" explores issues related to individualism, freedom, and resistance through the Boalian technique of "Cop in Head" and the performance of resilience.
Throughout February, Old Dominion University will mark Black History Month with events celebrating and reflecting on African American culture and heritage.
Full schedule of ODU BHM 2023 events/activities here
Official Selection into TWO Film Festivals for Winter 2023
Kicking off 2023 with two film festivals for 'Pedigree': DMV International Film Festival (DMVIFF) and Seven Cities Showcase of Hampton Roads.
Seven Cities Showcase: Jan. 7, 2023 in Va Beach, Virginia
DMVIFF: Feb. 25-26, 2023 in Washington D.C.
Again, so proud of our Pedigree team and grateful to the @sevencitiesshowcase & @dmviff for the platform for this work!
4 NEW WORKSHOPS OFFERED!
I offer workshops on the development, consulting, and building of narrative-based solo performance and devised theatre for individuals, students (6th thru college-aged), community orgs, and ensemble building:
River Stories: Reflective Narrative Exploration
Flying Solo: Solo Performance Exploration
Dare to Devise: Ensemble-based Devised Theatre Exploration
Resilient Stillness: Image Theatre Exploration
For booking, pricing, or any other workshop inquiries, contact here.
Winner for Best Woman Director for 'Pedigree', Changefest 2022
With over 130 films selected for the festival and out of 7 esteemed nominees, Pedigree won for ‘Best Woman Director’ and I was invited as a guest panelist for the 11th Int’l Social Change Film Festival (Changefest) 2022 ATL premiere.
So proud of our Pedigree team and grateful to the @changefestfilmfestival & @atlsocialchange for the artistic process discussion and platform for this work!
Official Selection, 11th Int'l Social Change Film Festival
'Pedigree' is an official selection for the 11th International Social Change Film Festival (a.k.a ChangeFest) and received a nomination for Best Woman Director!
ChangeFest, a national nonprofit committed to liberation and amplifying community voices through storytelling, organizing, and direct action, celebrates our common humanity through film, music, art & fashion.
The festival/screening is Oct. 23 in Atlanta, GA and after the screenings will be a featured talkback with the artists/directors of this year’s selection.
Festival info here
Creative Scholarship/Works Highlights: October 2022
Creative Scholarship Overview for October 2022.:
Highlighted
Oct. 5-7, 12-16 DIRECTOR, NEW DEVISED WORK
Premiere of Tag! You’re It!, directing a new commissioned devised ensemble-based theatre piece for ODURep Theater
Oct. 18 FEATURED PANELIST
Antiracism in the Arts Symposium, Old Dominion University internationally acclaimed guest speakers join ODU faculty members for panels that will discuss ballet teaching, color-conscious casting in dance, theatre, and film, and leadership strategies that honor diversity and equity
Oct. 19 FEATURED PANELIST
'Making Money Doing What You Love' panel, Zeiders American Dream Theater
Oct. 20 FEATURED ARTIST
Screening of short film 'Pedigree', '7th Annual NEON Festival
Oct. 22-23 FILM FESTIVAL SCREENING
Official Selection in 11th International Social Change Film Festival (a.k.a ChangeFest’) for Pedigree in Atlanta, GA. Talkback panel to follow screening.
**Available online for streaming Sept. 12- Nov. 12 2022
NEW WORKS: Tag! You're It!
For Fall 2022, I’ve been commissioned to direct/create/devise ‘Tag! You’re It!’ is an interactive, ensemble-based devised theatre piece utilizing the Boalian technique of Image Theatre. In a 4-week rehearsal process, our ensemble cast will create and devise original text/literature (poetry/rap, choreography, etc.) that explores issues of individualism, unmasking/unveiling of freedom, creative self-expression through performance, exploration, resistance, and protest.
The collective ensemble will culminate in creating a living “mural” that will live on in the minds of audience members long afterward.
Read full production details here
Two NEW Scripts Now Available!
I’ve officially published my two short plays, How to Tie a Tie and The Amazin’ Jason on AMAZON. Each script is a two-person play and runs for under 30 minutes. Either purchase a copy or download an e-copy today!
- A 1st place winner of the KCACTF Region IV National John L. Caubel Short Play Award, How to Tie a Tie explores the themes of gender equality, gendered marital roles, and ethical disparities within the LBGTQ+ community.
- An Official Selection of the Fade to Black Play Fest, The Amazin’ Jason tackles the themes of the raging opioid crisis plaguing our teenage population and the pressures on student-athletes across the country.
For information about productions/performance rights, contact here.
Two Plays Spotlighted at Heritage Ensemble Theatre Co.
How to Tie a Tie and The Amazin' Jason are being showcased at the 2022 Summer Staged Reading Series hosted by The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company in Richmond, VA.
The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company is a black owned theatre company bringing life to the black voice and focuses all of its efforts in the direction of the African American experience and those interested in preserving that legacy.
This summer, they're highlighting 3 new playwrights and there is no cost to come out and support these amazing writers!
YWCA SAR Challenge 'Performing Arts' Advocate
Served as the 'Performing Arts' advocate for the YWCA's 2022 Stand Against Racism (SAR) Challenge. Annually in April, YWCA South Hampton Roads and YWs across the nation raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities and seek to build community among those who work for racial justice.
This year’s theme is We Can’t Wait: Equity and Justice Now!
Thank you to WTKR News for the opportunity to tell and highlight stories that matter to our communities. Check out the interview and article below.
Spring 2022 Solo News
Short performance piece ‘Pedigree’ is making its national interdisciplinary conference debut this Spring 2022. This show explores the lengths to which one declares to take back their power after years of mental and emotional torment at the hands of societal tormentors from her past to the present.
In the wake of the political backdrop of the Black Lives Matter Movement, this applied theatre work is relevant to our Black community in providing insight to a cathartic resolution and engaging in civil dialogue beyond the headlines and #hashtags. Each conference appearance was accompanied by a moderated talkback on my artistic process and “personifying resistance through narrative”.
Highlighted
Annual Interdisciplinary Conference African, African American & Diaspora Studies (AAAD)
Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA)
Global Conference on Women and Gender (GCWG)
Midwestern Conference on Literature, Language & Media (MCLLM)
New Project Alert: The In[HEIR]itance Project- Exodus Coastal Virginia
Premiering in May 2022, I'm serving as the Asst. Director and Research Contributor on this newly devised theater project, The In[HEIR]itance Project: Exodus Coastal Virginia.
Project Overview: an examination of the history and lived experiences of the people of Hampton Roads in relationship to the themes and narrative of the book of Exodus. A final play will premiere at the Virginia Arts Festival in May 2022 at the Attucks Theater.
Community partners include (not limited to) Virginia Arts Festival, The Attucks Theater, Zeiders American Dream Theater, Teens with a Purpose, and WHRO.
KCACTF Region IV Directing Achievement
I was recognized by KCACTF Region IV Achievement in Directing for Intimate Apparel, November 2021. The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students annually from colleges and universities across the country.
Through extensive adjudication process, Intimate Apparel was not only recognized for its achievements in directing, but also in acting, costuming, and set design.
With its many acknowledgments, the primary focuses of KCACTF aims to encourage, recognize, and celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theater programs and encourage colleges and universities to give distinguished productions of new plays, especially those written by students; the classics, revitalized or newly conceived; and experimental works.
Read full production details here
Official Selection, James River Short Film Showcase
Pedigree is an official selection in the 2022 James River Short Film Festival hosted by the James River Film Society and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Now in its 27th year, JRFS is an annual juried competition festival devoted to the short. The centerpiece is an international juried competition for short films (20 minutes or less) from around the globe that best embody what the James River Film Society and James River Film Festival are all about – the art of film and film as art.
Pedigree will be live-streamed starting January 28th through Jan. 30th via jamesriverfilm.org.
Directed Intimate Apparel, ODURep
For the Fall 2021 mainstage season for ODURep, I directed Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage.
From my director statement/vision:
"our redefining of Nottage’s breathtaking text aims to comb out the desires within and expose them at their seams. I’ve come to describe our production as a patchwork quilt of woven narratives stitched together over time through the themes of gender, race and class, and religion. We seek to open a space within which to examine, through a different lens, the silhouettes of the “history of the present” and its complicated tensions wrought of contradictory desires....
For the past 6 weeks, the entire cast and production team have diligently rehearsed, revised, and rehearsed again still within the confines of a pandemic wrought world."
Read full my director statement/vision here
Top 4 Finalist for 2021 'The Breath Project' Festival
My piece Pedigree has been selected as one of the top 4 finalist in the nationally acclaimed 2021 The Breath Project Festival (TBP).
Through art, action and advocacy, The Breath Project seeks to build a more equitable theater community in this country, and actively dismantle structural racism in the American Theater. In partnership with theater companies across the country, the free festival featured 24 world premiere works created by multidisciplinary theater artists of color, all 8 minutes and 46 seconds in length.
The theme is "8:46", and all submissions must be a recording of a live performance of original work that has been created in the past year, and must be 8 minutes and 46 seconds in length, in remembrance of George Floyd and his untimely, unjustified death.
Pedigree premieres December 4th, 2021 with a talk-back with the artists at
5pm PS | 6pm MT | 7pm CT | 8pm ET
Newest Solo Work: Pedigree
Drafted and filmed between Summer 2020-2021, Pedigree features a first-time protester sharing her emotional experience with being arrested and disrespected. This solo performance piece is about personal acceptance and recovery from the inexplicit influences of racial hatred and violence.
To complement each showing, there will be a subsequent talkback reflection with the audience addressing issues of racial and personal disparities of protesting and the permission to challenge the status quo.
Pedigree will debut at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE), featured in the BTA Panel: Personifying Resistance: Devising Theatre for Social Justice with Adanma Barton, moderated by Omiyemi Artisia Green