Hidden History: Banjo

Project Overview

A devised/new play development.

5 -week rehearsal process, script/project concept developing, rehearsing, and final production.

Presented as part of the City of Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs to re-launch their 'Globally-Inspired Gatherings' summer season at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. The Hidden History: The Banjo premiered as a celebratory piece about Juneteenth as a salute to freedom through expression and creativity. This performance includes an array of music, dance, and spoken word poetry from talented local artists, devised over the span of 5 weeks.

WHRO’s Lisa Godley will lead a community discussion about African and African American Culture, the importance of reconnecting music to cultural origins, and more.

Community Partners/Orgs: Zeiders American Dream Theater, City of VA Beach Cultural Affairs, VB GIGS, Teens with a Purpose, and Tidewater African Cultural Alliance.

Directorial Purpose

Methodological Approach(es):

Directing Overview

Entertaining but also enlightening...

I want to create a space for relearning and unlearning of misinformation, sharing with people that the story of Blacks/African-American's isn't just ones of enslavement but celebratory.

Focus: tracing the history of the banjo instrument and its culture back to the kora in Africa, griots and providing historical accuracy

Collaborating creatively with the actors, producers and technical designers to build the show from the ground up
Documenting and analyzing creative practices using written notes, digital archival methods, performance

Professional Critique

Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department via YouTube

#VBGIGS Presents "Hidden History: The Banjo"

A full audience was treated to a salute to freedom through expression and creativity. The 60-minute performance included an array of music, dance, and spoken word poetry from talented local artists including: Rita Cohen from Tidewater African Cultural Alliance, Corey and LaQuita Staten from Atumpan Edutainment, Bill Armstrong from Tidewater Bluegrass Music Association, Kanya Edmonds and Author Kween Yakini.

Audience Feedback

"So entertaining and enlightening for everyone!"

"The takeaway is larger than just learning the history...hidden history of one instrument but this piece made me thinking about all the other histories that have been mistold to us, my people."

05/2021 - 06/2021

THE HIDDEN HISTORY: THE BANJO, A CELEBRATION OF JUNETEENTH

Project Overview

Directorial Purpose

Professional Critique

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