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ART THAT AWAKENS
2023 EVENTS
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csp New works fest 2023
Presented in partnership with HB Studio.
Funded by A.R.T./New York’s NYC Small Theatres Fund (made possible with support from the Howard Gilman Foundation)
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STREAMING ON YOUTUBE
Monthly chats with Caribbean Diaspora and Caribbean writers, directors, actors, and creators.
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ONLINE READINGS & Q&A's
ONLINE READINGS & Q&A's
Works-in-progress by CSP Artist Collective members.
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2023 writer's workshop
ONLINE READINGS & Q&A's
To learn more about Steve Harper visit:
This event is made possible by ARTNY Small Theatre Fund (made possible with support from the Howard Gilman Foundation)
FRI., DECEMBER 8TH, 2023
FRI., DECEMBER 8TH, 2023
FRI., DECEMBER 8TH, 2023
THE MOURNERS
written by Rivka Rivera
directed by Francisco J. Rivera Rodríguez
About the play
In the aftermath of their daughter's devastating suicide, Ildefonso Muñoz, a communist philosopher, and Carmen, his resilient partner, find themselves estranged from their beloved granddaughter Delfina, and her father, Leo. Ildefonso's sorrow is deepened by his belief that Leo's capitalist leanings played a role in their shared tragedy. Meanwhile, Carmen is struggling with a health crisis, but she is determined to keep it a secret from her family. But when Hurricane Maria threatens to destroy their island, they all find themselves under one roof. Will this family finally mourn the death of their daughter, mother, and wife - or will they drown in a sea of resentment?
Cast: Paul Calderon, Soccoro Santiago*, Bryanna Felipe, Ian Dunn
(*Equity actor appearing with the permission of Actor Equity Association)
(image credit left to right: cast members Ian Dunn, Bryanna Felipe, Soccoro Santiago, Paul Calderone; photographer Horacio Rojas)
SAT., DECEMBER 9TH, 2023
FRI., DECEMBER 8TH, 2023
FRI., DECEMBER 8TH, 2023
SILVER SILHOUETTES
written & directed by JR Roache
About the Film
A young exotic dancer plots to free herself and her children from bondage in spite of the decision of an uncompassionate judge and the objection and rage from her jealous and violent handler.
(image: CSP Resident Dramaturg Jasmeene Francois delivering welcome speech: photographer: Horacio Rojas)
FRI., DECEMBER 8TH, 2023
OPENING NIGHT
written & performed by Petron B.
directed by Magaly Colimon-Christopher
About the play
What does it mean for a Black artist to develop his work in White theatres? This solo piece explores the challenges faced by a Black male playwright as he struggles to be heard and understood.
(image: writer/performer Petron Brown
photographer: Horacio Rojas)
Y?
written & directed by Frank Robinson
About the play
Veteran turned best-selling author, Gary Holmes, recalls a life changing encounter he had while on a reconnaissance mission when he came face-to-face with Sadiq, a mortally wounded ‘enemy’, and was thrown into another new battlefield: between humanity and duty where the line that designated them as “wartime enemies” was questioned.
Cast: James Christoper Moore, J. Singh, Vincent Cheatham
(image: Left to right - Vincent Cheatham, J. Singh: photographer Horacio Rojas)
HELLO COUSIN
written by Magaly Colimon-Christopher
directed by Aixa Kendrick
About the play
On their 50th birthday cousins Maryse Apollon and Gabrielle Petion find themselves at a crossroads in their lives and choose to make a change. Gabrielle takes a birthday trip from Port Au Prince Haiti to Miami to clear her mind and gain some perspective, intending to stay with her cousin Maryse. Maryse catches a last minute flight to Cap Haitien, Haiti to reconnect with her inner self. They eventually meet in Miami and sparks fly for both women as they share their new views on “Haitian nationalism” and familial responsibility.
Cast: Magaly Colimon, Candice Jean-Jacques, AnTionette Byers-Paredes
(Image: left to right Candice Jean Jacques, Magaly Colimon: photographer Horacio Rojas)
THE PITFALLS OF EXAGGERATED SWAGGER
written by Cris Eli Blak
directed by Jenn Susi
About the play
When the man who saved them from off the streets passes away, estranged adopted siblings are forced to come together for a day to say their goodbyes, also forcing them to face the fractures of old wounds and secrets that they'd buried in the past.
Cast: Alyssa Carter, Alton Ray, Anthony T Goss, Kara Green
(image: left to right Alton Ray, Anthony T. Goss: photographer Horacio Rojas)
CONCH SHELL PRODUCTIONS programs FUNDED IN PART by
fy24-25 NEW YORK CITY SMALL THEATRES FUND
A.R.T./New York’s FY24-FY25 New York City Small Theatres Fund is made possible with support from the Howard Gilman Foundation.
In partnership with the Howard Gilman Foundation, the New York City Small Theatres Fund is a two year general operating support grant to New York City-based theatre companies with annual budgets below $250,000. The grant aims to support a wide range of theatrical aesthetics, methods of production, and artistic communities throughout the five boroughs who are engaging their artists and audiences in meaningful, exciting, and committed creation and production.
#BLUELIGHT online reading SERIES
WORKS-IN PROGRESS WRITTEN BY CSP ARTIST COLLECTIVE MEMBERS
This season we presented online readings of two full length plays written by members of Conch Shell Productions Artist Collective members:
- Searching for Abuelo written by Gretchen Suarez-Pena (March 2023)
- Between Dog & Wolf written by Cris Eli Blak (June 2023)
ARTIST STATEMENT
History doesn't repeat itself, it only continues. Unfortunately, this is the same with the tragedies that have become such commonplace in our society that we don't even flinch anymore when a breaking news report comes on. In my plays, I don't aim to tell stories, I aim to tell the truth. Between Dog and Wolf is an exploration of healing and forgiveness, a plea to pay attention to the effects of gun violence and school shootings in America, and to take a look into why only certain faces and shades of skin are given attention and sympathy when these events happen. I wrote this play to tell the truth - - the hard truth. The only thing I ask is that you listen
ABOUT THE PLAY
High school friends Blake, Patrick, and Mara reunite at a hotel the day before their 10-year reunion. Forever traumatized by the school shooting that took place their junior year, the three try and fail to relive painful memories and heal broken friendships.
ABOUT THE CAST
Petron Brown (Reader) is a playwright, performer, arts leader, an intimacy director, and a member of Conch Shell Productions’ Artist Collective. He was born in The Bahamas and immigrated to the US to pursue educational and artistic endeavors.
Milton Espinoza Jr. (“PATRICK”) born & raised in Newark, is currently pursuing his MFA in Acting at Columbia University. Since graduating from Wesleyan in 2022, he has been expanding his artistry with in the Caribbean Rasanblaj, giving a voice to those who have been silenced. IG: @m11ton3
Erick Goldsmith (“BLAKE”) born in Chester, PA, earned B.A. in Theatre and has been a paid voice/actor for 7+ years. He finds fulfillment in work and life through human connection.IG: e.smith_smiththestoryteller
Shakira Kelly ("MARA")was born and raised in Jamaica, has a B.A. in English Literature and has 2 years experience performing in Jamaican theater. She uses her passion for acting to bring attention to real life experiences. IG: kellykarisma
MAGALY COLIMON-CHRISTOPHER, director
Conch Shell Productions Artistic Director. To learn more about Magaly, click here
SEARCHING FOR ABUELO
One-woman show written and performed by
Gretchen Suárez-Peña
Directed by Magaly Colimon-Christopher
ARTIST STATEMENT
"My maternal grandfather died before my mother even graduated from High School. I know very little about him except that he was a bartender, and an aspiring actor and writer in New York City. In this one-act solo show, framed in the traditional Puerto Rican musical style of Bomba, I (Gretchen) put myself through the journey of figuring out who he was, who I am, and what to do about it."