What we've been doing
Our productions reflect a wide range of interests for a wide range of ages. Some of our most popular shows include:
A FEW OF MY SISTERS*
( 1 hr. )
Meet 4 fictional women from times of long ago and near-to-now: there's Sia, a young merchant-woman of 11th century West Africa; Kizzy, an escaped slave now living in the Old West; Ruby, a nightclub singer in the Harlem Renaissance; and Ella, who is struggling for civil rights in the early '60's. History is brought to life with period-appropriate music, movement and stories. And as we move through time, audience members become a part of this exciting production.
BLUE MONDAY*
(1 hr 15 min)
Who cares about the blues? Not Travail. She's tired of school, tired of her family and looking for a way out. Mango's talking about whatever's going on right now! Tristan's too busy trying to keep everyone from finding out he's not the player he pretends to be. And James? Something's different about James but no one seems to notice. None of them care about the blues... until the day their teacher tells them they have to create blues songs about their everyday lives for a class project! BLUE MONDAY is a toe-tapping musical which introduces students to blues history, legends and culture while helping them to appreciate the "everyday-ness" of the blues and why they live on.
(Gr. 4--High School)
_______________________________________________
BROTHER, MAN*
( 1 hr. ) 
There are so many negative stereotypes of Black men. In the news, in the movies, in our minds. Too often the real Black men have been forgotten. BROTHER, MAN celebrates Black men from Hannibal to the present day who have built families, movements and countries. BROTHER, MAN will keep you talking and thinking for some time to come.
(Gr. 4-adult)
GRIMM GOODIES*
( 1 hr. )
A new look at four of Grimm's fairy tales: Rapunzel lives in the city; Little Red Riding Hood is told through African dance; Rumpelstiltskin's a modern mini-musical; Cinderella learns you
shouldn't believe everything you read.
(PreSchool-6th)
KINGDOM OF GOLD*
(1 hr 30 min)
The great gold mines of Wangara have been discovered by those who plan to betray their king! This thrilling 11th century adventure is a blend of traditional African legend and historical fact.
(Gr. 3-adult)
MOYENDA AND THE GOLDEN HEART*
(1 hr or less)
Meet Moyenda. He lives in a mythical village in a mythical country in Africa. Adopted by the village years ago, Moyenda is excited when he learns about a great prize. He hopes to find this wonder and bring it back to the people he loves. Join Moyenda on his quest to find the greatest treasure of all: the Golden Heart. Filled with music and movement, this heartwarming production inspires and entertains.
(All ages)
SHANI-ON-THE-HILL*
(1hr 15 min)
Shani is a dreamer. Her sister, Kweli, wants to be popular and important. With the help of Billy-Boy, the neighborhood drug dealer, she thinks she may have found a way... This musical follows two days in the life of Shani, Kweli, and their friends, as they learn to dream their own dreams instead of living in the illusions of pushers or peers.
(Gr. 3-8)
SONG ON THE SHORE*
( 1 hr or less)
A highly entertaining production utilizing Caribbean folklore and musical styles. Ti Malice tricks Uncle Bouki into buying a wonderful imaginary singing fish and Uncle Bouki eagerly goes to look for his new possession. There's only one problem: there really is a wonderful singing fish. Will Uncle Bouki capture this fish? And what can a smart fish do when a foolish man wants to put her in a bowl? Music, dance, storytelling and valuable information on a coral reef
community enhance this bright and breezy musical skit as we learn how Poissette and her friends trick the not-so-bright Uncle Bouki.
TANDIKA TALES*
(1 hr or less)
Myth, music and madness! Delightful myths and legends created by children with hilarious "commercials" about wind, water, and fire.
(PreSchool-6th)
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT*
(1 hr or less) 
There are many different kinds of traditional Black folktales. These "scary tales" are guaranteed to shiver the flesh right off of your bones: angry monsters, talking cats, legs and arms that walk by themselves and much more.
(2nd-8th grade)
THE TIGER WHO WORE WHITE GLOVES*
(1 hr 20 min)
This exuberant musical is about Taji, a tiger who feels constantly outclassed by Povu, an extremely well-dressed lion. All of Taji's friends --his girlfriend, his panther buddy, the twin monkeys, an intellectual antelope, a saleswolf, and a crocodile addicted to soap operas-- help Taji to realize who (and what) he really wants to be. Based on the poem of the same name by the former Illinois Poet Laureate, Gwendolyn Brooks.
(All ages)
WHICH WEST IS WHICH*
(1 hr 20 min) 
This exciting adventure about Blacks in the late 1800's tells the story of Jericho Freeman, a sharecropper from Mississippi; Journee Fentress, a Texas cowboy; and other friendly & not-so-friendly inhabitants of the Old West.
(Gr. 3-adult)
*All times as estimates
