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ART THAT AWAKENS
At Conch Shell Productions (CSP), our mission is to awaken American audiences to the unique voices of emerging Caribbean diaspora and the Caribbean theatre and film artists.
To do so, we create spaces for Caribbean heritage artists to own their narrative, and for audiences to learn more about them and their work.
Our initiatives include our new works development incubator CSP Artist Collective, new works reading series (Bluelight Series, Conch Shell New Works Fest, Reset Series), artist workshops, CSP Artist Chat monthly talk show, and our Conch Shell International Film Fest.
Ever since our first theatre festival in 2019 (Hear Her Call Caribbean American Women's Theatre Festival) Conch Shell Productions has inspired social change by sharing the work of over 120 Caribbean heritage film and theatre makers with over 15,000 audience members (in person and online) redefining perspectives about Caribbean heritage communities with varied stories, and building bridges between our artists and audiences.
Conch Shell Productions, Inc. is a Queens, New York-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our programs are made possible thanks to generous support of individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsorships.
Conch Shell Productions is proud to spotlight three powerful voices reshaping American theatre:
🖋️ Diane Exavier – Haitian American playwright weaving poetry, memory & resistance
🖋️ Reynaldo Piniella – Puerto Rican/Cuban American playwright & performer exploring legacy, justice & identity
🖋️ Chandra Thomas – Jamaican American playwright telling stories rooted in womanhood, family & Caribbean strength
Experience exciting new works-in-progress, meet the artists behind the stories, and take part in audience talkbacks that help shape the future of each play.
Bluelight Reading Series gives Caribbean heritage writers the chance to collaborate with our co-resident dramaturgs Jasmeene Francois and Sasha Wells, develop the work with a director and cast of actors, and engage directly with the community.
Join us for staged readings of their latest works this fall at the
Queens Public Library - Forest Hills Branch
108-19 71st Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Dates:
September 18,
September 25,
October 3
Time:
5:30pm-7:30pm
Each reading is followed by a talkback — your voice matters in shaping the future of these plays!
🎟️ FREE ADMISSION
🔷 Presented by Conch Shell Productions in partnership with Queens Public Library
🔷 Made possible with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts.
A woman finds herself on a deserted island and is tasked with building a home, welcoming a few visitors to help her along the way. In a hybrid of poetry and drama, this play tells the story of a woman who fractures herself in order to become whole again.
Sons of an Unknown Father tells the story of the first Black saint of the Americas, Martin de Porres. Born into slavery in Lima, Peru in the 1600s, Martin aspired to break through the chains of his bondage by devoting his life to the Catholic Church. But no matter how virtuous Martin was, nothing could break through the barriers of his op
Sons of an Unknown Father tells the story of the first Black saint of the Americas, Martin de Porres. Born into slavery in Lima, Peru in the 1600s, Martin aspired to break through the chains of his bondage by devoting his life to the Catholic Church. But no matter how virtuous Martin was, nothing could break through the barriers of his oppression. Until one day, Martin discovers he has the power to heal people with his bare hands. Suddenly viewed as the second son of God, people come from far and wide to meet the man with the magic hands. Martin's burden becomes too much and he is forced to make a decision - self-preservation or self-sacrifice?
AMELIA and her longtime partner MATTHEW are applying to foster a kid. The Newark homeowners, though of color, are considered part of the gentrifying wave that's radically changing the city. They are reminded of this fact loudly and often by their sole tenant, OCTAVIA. The couple navigates the surprise of Amelia's ex, DAVIDA unexpectedly s
AMELIA and her longtime partner MATTHEW are applying to foster a kid. The Newark homeowners, though of color, are considered part of the gentrifying wave that's radically changing the city. They are reminded of this fact loudly and often by their sole tenant, OCTAVIA. The couple navigates the surprise of Amelia's ex, DAVIDA unexpectedly showing up to evaluate the couple's foster application. When young TALARIQ becomes AMELIA and MATTHEW’s foster son, the couple's collective and individual understandings of class, race/ethnicity, family, sexuality and love are strained and tested.
Thank you for attending the CSIFF Community screening and artist talk! We’re dedicated to sharing powerful Caribbean stories and building a vibrant arts community in Queens. Your feedback is important to us—please take a few minutes to answer these questions to help us better serve you and the community.
We are thankful for the amazingly talented community of actors who have breathed life into the characters imagined and written by the CSP community playwrights of the years. If you would like to be considered for future readings and productions, click the link below and submit your info.
"I recommend Magaly and Conch Shell productions because the work that is created is so important and necessary to our world. This platform for creation is a nurturing space for artists that find it hard to find safe spaces to create. Thank you, Magaly for creating this space! "
"Thought-provoking, inspirational and relevant Caribbean works supported by authenticity and powerful story-telling. "
"I highly recommend Conch Shell Productions and their work. "
"CSIFF2022 was fantastic! This festival is so thoughtfully organized with many opportunities for filmmakers to interact and engage virtually through Filmocracy in meaningful conversation. The podcast conversations were also a great feature. The focus and commitment to film as tool for social justice was exciting. The voices of the Caribbean diaspora represented in the festival is an invaluable contribution to the field. The organization, communication, and hospitality was impressive!"
"CSIFF2024 Another impressive film festival. The whole staff is incredibly professional, as was the whole Festival All communication was timely. I appreciated the opportunity to be interviewed about my film, and all the many opportunities provided to the filmmakers. Magaly, the festival's founding director, is a trailblazer, keep your eyes out for the growth of CSIFF. As a Caribbean maker I also appreciate the TRUE breath, depth and inclusivity of ALL Caribbean filmmaking voices, not the stereotypes of us or the more traditional version of our stories alone. Thank you."
"I'm very grateful to have been selected and invited in the festival. Great schedule and great films. Definitely a very original and promising way to meet and network virtually. Very reminiscent of the real thing! Very well organized and the communication was great, complete, and helpful. Long live the CSIFF!"
If you have any questions about our upcoming events, or opportunities to support our mission, feel free to email us.
Queens, New York, New York 11367, United States