THE BLACK THAT I AM

BRAATA PRODUCTIONS

Proudly Presents

Four Stars! - Broadway Baby (Edinburgh 2017)

“This play touches on important subtleties in the discussion about black identity.” - The Scotsman ​ (Edinburgh 2017)

THE BLACK THAT I AM

A meditation on blackness

Written by

KARL O'BRIAN WILLIAMS

Directed by WILL BROWN

THREE-WEEK LIMITED ENGAGEMENT

MARCH 17 – APRIL 2, 2023 AT HERE ARTS CENTER

OPENING NIGHT IS SATURDAY, MARCH 18 AT 7 P.M.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT BRAATAPRODUCTIONS.ORG

BRAATA PRODUCTIONS (Andrew Clarke, Executive Director, and Karl O’Brian Williams, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the revival production of Karl O’Brian Williams’ THE BLACK THAT I AM, directed by Will Brown. THE BLACK THAT I AM will play a three-week limited engagement at HERE ARTS CENTER Dorothy B. Williams Theater (145 Sixth Ave, NY, NY 10013). Performances begin Friday, March 17, and continue through Sunday, April 2. Opening Night is Saturday, March 18 (27 p.m.). ​ Tickets are $15 - $30.00 and are available at braataproductions.org/tbtia. ​ 

Inspired by an original poem of the same name THE BLACK THAT I AM, meditates on blackness, questioning themes of gender, sexuality, and nationalism. The show explores what it means to be Black, Jamaican, and a “foreign” immigrant - an experience that can be both empowering and disempowering. On the one hand, there is a feeling of pride in being a part of a vibrant, historically significant culture that has made its mark on society, especially in the arts and music. At the same time, there is the reality of systemic racism, which can make it difficult to pursue one’s goals or live without fear of discrimination. Each section of the play is intended to underscore these important themes and steer the audience off course from the main poetic narrative... a narrative constantly embodying Sankofa: looking back to go forward.

“Caribbean immigrants to the USA have an additional hurdle in fitting into this society because we are often treated by some as part of the African-American community, while in reality, some African-Americans do not regard us as such,” comments Williams. “So we as Caribbean people have to find our own place in this dynamic and our own ways of coping with being 'double outsiders,' if you will. The Black That I Am addresses these feelings of confusion, hurt, and yearning to belong. It is an addition to the New York cultural landscape on the heels of Black History Month, and will generate conversations that will hopefully go on for a long time after that.”

The production stars Sadi Bimwala, Jovaun Black, Nyanda Cammock, Hector Lincoln, Ansi Rodriguez, and Dan'yelle Williamson-Brown.

The production features scenic design by Harlan Penn, costume design by Devin (Devyn) Macke, and lighting design by Moneé Stamp. Joel Edwards is the sound designer, Jenna Arkontaky is the stage manager and Emani Simpson is the assistant stage manager. Technical direction by Joel Edwards, production management by Santos Collado, covid compliance managed by Kim M Jones, and publicity by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR.

THE BLACK THAT I AM plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, April 2: 

Tickets are $15-30 and are now available online at braataproductions.org/tbtia or by calling 212-647-0202. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the theater ½ hour prior to the performance.

HERE ARTS CENTER 

Dorothy B. Williams Theater

145 Sixth Ave, NY, NY 10013

Running Time: 75 mins

Website: https://www.braataproductions.org

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Media Kit with Photos

BIOGRAPHIES

WILL BROWN (director) is a native of Massachusetts and has been fascinated with movement since the age of 5. ​ When his passion became a reality he earned a BFA in dance from The University oF Massachusetts and immediately upon graduating was offered a position working for the renowned Garth Fagan Dance Company. ​ Since then he’s danced with various companies and performed works by noted artists such as; Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Garth Fagan, Stefanie Battan Bland, Meredith Rainey, Zane Booker and Abdel Salaam. In addition to touring nationally and internationally he’s presented workshops and master classes for the National High School Dance Festival in the Northeast & Southeastern regions and has been a Guest Artist in Residence at The Yard for 3 years. . His work has been presented by Mare Nostrum Elements NYC, Dixon Place, NYC, ​ KasheDance Festival, Toronto, Philadelphia’s Fringe Festivals and Kun Yang Lin’s Inhale Series. Mr. Brown has been a featured performer at the Viva Danca Festival, Bahia, Brazil, Florida Dance Festival and the IABD Festival in St. Louis and Philadelphia. Currently he is a project based dancer with Company Stefanie Battan Bland and recently completed 3 wonderful years of teaching in the Professional Division at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance.

KARL O’BRIAN WILLIAMS (playwright) work has been featured in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's Festival Performance Competitions, the Tallahwah Theatre Competition at the University of the West Indies, as part of the annual Kingston on the Edge Arts Festival, the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and many other local and civic functions throughout Jamaica and New York City. ​ In his native Jamaica, he won the award for Best New Jamaican Play for The Black That I Am and Not About Eve in 2005 and 2006 respectively. Additionally, the Off-Off Broadway production of Not About Eve garnered three AUDELCO Award nominations for Excellence in Black Theatre for Best Playwright, Outstanding Ensemble & Best Dramatic Production in 2013. The National Theatre of Scotland for its special showcase in African-Caribbean theatrical work selected Voices from the Black That I Am for Oran Mor’s lunchtime theatre series ‘A Play, A Pint & A Pie’ in Glasgow, and was produced at the Galloway Arts Festival. 

His short play Random was a selection in NYU's ten-minute play festival, and was made into a short film by students at the Art Institute of Atlanta in 2009. His monologue “The Kept Man” was also adapted into the screenplay “Winston” which garnered selections in 18 film festivals including The African-American Film Festival and the Pan African Film Festival. Karl was playwright in residence for Theatre Askew’s Youth Performance Experience for three years, and excerpts of his play “What’s In A Name” have been published in Out & Allied Volume 2: An Anthology of Performance Pieces by LGBTQ Youth & Allies. His other published play “The Signs of Friendship” is part of the theatre anthology: We’re Not Neutral Reset Series 2020. His play, “The Boys on the Hill” was selected for the Culture Project’s 2015 Summer Play Reading series at the Lynn Redgrave Theatre, as well as Long Island University’s Kumble Theatre 2016 Pride Month Celebrations. 

He wrote the book for a new musical “Welcome to America: A Caribbean Musical” which premiered at the York College Performing Arts Center, Queens in April 2017, excerpts from his award-winning “The Black That I Am” have been performed at the 2017 Edinburgh Theatre Festival in Scotland. He is currently a member of the PlayGround-LA Writers Pool, and is an Arthur Miller Foundation Mentor. MA Educational Theatre, NYU, Post-Graduate Diploma in Education and BA English, University of the West Indies, and a Certificate in Acting Shakespeare - Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Williams enjoys writing about LGBTQ+ lives and being Caribbean in the US, while continuing to pursue projects that focus on education and the arts. 

BRAATA PRODUCTIONS was founded in 2009 to bring Caribbean folk culture, music movement, stories, artists and theatre to the United States.

In its brief history, Braata Productions’ projects and programs have served over 350 artists, directors, designers, technicians and young entrepreneurial artists and has enjoyed many successes including the creation of The Braata Folk Singers, Braata Education & Outreach titled Project BE, Braata Theatre Workshop and The “Braata" Award.

The company is a full-service professional production company, offering the highest quality theatrical and educational productions and programs to the tri-state area. With just three years on the New York City theatre landscape, Braata Productions, in collaboration with Banana Boat Productions and Nanadowa Productions, has staged plays in keeping with its aim of unearthing and showcasing new artistic talent as well as honoring the work of established playwrights within the Diaspora. These include staged readings of Trevor Rhone’s Positive, new playwright Pierre Thompson’s Hortensia’s Recession, Karl O’Brian Williams’ Not About Eve all at the New Perspective Theatre and the mainstage production of Trevor Rhone’s Positive at The Spoon Theatre in December 2010. In 2011, we had a staged reading in collaboration with Banana Boat Productions of Karl Williams’ Black That I Am. We also produce our bi-annual concert season for the Braata Folk Singers and will shortly launch into our community education will outreach aspects of the organization.

Since its inception, Braata Theatre Workshop has presented 20 productions, including staged readings, fully mounted shows, regional tours, a showing at the National Black Theatre Festival in 2013 and a tour to the island of Trinidad & Tobago in 2015 and most recently to the island of Nevis in 2019. Other notable productions include God's Way and the world premiere Welcome to America: A Caribbean Musical which debuted in 2017 and played to sold out audiences. The Off-Off-Broadway production of Not About Eve garnered 3 AUDELCO Award nominations for Excellence in Black Theatre in 2013. And the 2015 staging of the Black That I Am received NYIT Award nomination for Best Art Show.

The Braata Folk Singers has had 4 concert seasons and numerous command performances including Toronto, NYC tri-state area & awards at the prestigious World Choir Games in Cincinnati in 2012.

Lastly, the Braata Education & Outreach which has done music and drama workshops at Queens Center Library, and stagings of a popular Jamaican traditional Christmas event in December titled Ole Time Grand Market the inaugural staging in 2013 was a huge success and has since become a staple in the company's calendar. Our most popular event is undoubtedly the Bankra Caribbean Culture Festival, a day long celebration of Caribbean folk culture, music, art and food.

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Listings Information:

Inspired by an original poem of the same name THE BLACK THAT I AM, meditates on blackness, questioning themes of gender, sexuality, and nationalism.