News | October - December 2020 Newsletter

“Diversity isn't about political correctness. Nor is diversity a passing fashion; rather, it is a significant struggle to see if America can fulfill its civil rights promises of inclusivity – of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” -Jewell Parker Rhodes, author

IN  THIS  ISSUE

 

* Protect or Serve: Harriett's Sisterhood Sit-In

* Long Wharf Theatre's Inaugural Artistic Congress

* Trail Off Launch

* They’ll Neglect to Tell You

* For Spirit, With Love: an exploration of voice, value, and verity for womynx in the here and now

* Thank You to you, and YOU

ON  THE  STAGE

* In the spirit of sisterhood, in the spirit of freedom and justice for all and in the face of vile and consistent threats, on October 12^th, Harriett’s Bookshop invites you to stand/sit-in with community members and panelists to present clear and concise ways to protect or serve one another; to move toward the tumultuous 2020 election and beyond with literal and figurative tools in our toolbox! This is an outdoor socially distant event. All attendees are asked to adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines. Click here for your free ticket!

* TS Hawkins and Zulynette Morales will be co-facilitating in Long Wharf Theatre's The Artistic Congress: State of The Union on October 15th & 16th. The Artistic Congress: State of The Union is a two-day virtual convening of local & national artistic leaders and activists across the American Theatre. This event will talk about how artists and storytellers catalyze meaningful systemic change and help rebuild the American Theatre. Click here for registration information!

* TrailOff has launched!!!! TS Hawkins served as Swim Pony’s Writer-in-Residence to pen THE RANGER! TrailOff, a transmedial walking performance created by Swim Pony Performing Arts in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), is available as a free-to-download app for iOs users (Android is next, don’t you worry). Click here to learn more, stay in the loop, and sign up for the TrailOff Mailing List!

* Excited to announce that They’ll Neglect to Tell You by TS Hawkins will be showcased during the 5^th Annual Bridge PHL Theatre Festival on Friday, October 23^rd at 7PM! This year’s theme, essential, hits the spirit and soul in many ways. Hawkins and the creative team look forward to exploring these burgeoning machinations through the play’s text and the new voices that will bring innovative character perspectives to life. Admission is FREE with RSVP! Click here to learn about the work’s journey & the creative team behind They’ll Neglect to Tell You!

* Frank L. says "For Spirit, With Love: an exploration of voice, value, and verity for womynx in the here and now" by TS Hawkins, highlights the symbiotic relationships with strong women and life experiences that have inspired and shaped the craft which ignites the passion for equality and inclusion of black and brown women. I’m proud of Hawkins’s ever-evolving journey and how they employ their talent to make thought-provoking statements for women of color! This piece is absolutely “several” lessons to be learned!" Click here to read the full essay!

 -Love and Light to Cheyenne Barboza, Ntozake Shange, Dr. Kimmika LH Williams-Witherspoon, Keisha L. Johnson, The National Black Theatre: Institute for Action Arts/Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, Lois Moses, and Dorothy Ann Lewis-Hawkins!

 

-For Spirit, With Love… is part of Long Wharf Theatre’s long-form series centering the evolution of women(/yn/xn)hood from local, regional, national, and international points of reference. The four-part discussion offers brilliant and introspective commentary from female-identified voices.

 

* COVID-19 shifted how the arts and artists moved through the world. Organizations (and art lovers) from far and wide rallied together to help the theatre community stay on its feet. Thank you National Black Theatre, Prime Act Media, Dotty’s Creative Creations, Philadelphia Arts & Culture, Jess & K8ty of Producers and Stagehands, Ring of Keys, 1812 Productions, Theatre Exile, Swim Pony Performing Arts, and Long Wharf Theatre for continuing to support artists during these wavering times!

ONGOING  UPDATES

* Plays by TS Hawkins
* TSPoetics Press

RESOURCE  LISTINGS

* BLM Chapter Listing (Nationwide)

* List of BIPOC Artists, Designers, and Technicians (Nationwide)

* List Black Womynx Directors (Nationwide)

* List of LatinX Theatre Directors (Nationwide)

* BIPOC Creative Resource & Database

Interested in past TSPoetics Newsletters? Click to view!

#BlackWomynxAreMagic