Charlotte Black History Now: Theater Focus

Overview

In honor of Black History Month and the history makers of Charlotte, Blumenthal Performing Arts is proud to present Charlotte Black History Now: Theater Focus. Click GET TICKETS to access the virtual event. 

Featuring a dynamic panel of Charlotte-based playwrights, directors and actors, this virtual conversation and first installment of a two-part series will focus on the history, impact and future of Charlotte Black theater.

PANELISTS

TyNia Brandon, Actor

Born and raised in Charlotte, NC, TyNia’s professional acting credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Broadway) and The Lion King (National Tour).

Corlis Hayes, Director/Actor

Corlis is a faculty member at CPCC where she teaches Communication and Play Production. She has directed the CPCC production of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, The Piano Lesson and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Additionally, Corlis has directed shows for several theatre companies in the Charlotte Community, including Brand New Sheriff’s productions of August Wilsons’ Jitney (Best Drama Creative Loafing 2017), Two Trains Running (MTA Best Drama 2019) and Fences  ( Broadway World Best Director 2020).

Stacey Rose, Playwright/TV Writer

Hailing from Elizabeth, NJ and Charlotte NC respectively, Stacey’s work celebrates and explores Blackness, Black identity, Black history, body politics, and the dilemma of life as the “other.” Stacey is a 2019- 20 McKnight Fellow, 2020-22 Playwrights’ Center Core Writer, 2018-19 Goodman Theatre’s Playwrights Unit writer and a member of The Civilians R&D Group. She was a 2018 Sundance Theatre Lab Fellow, 2017-18 Playwrights’ Center Many Voices Fellow and 2015-16 Dramatist Guild Fellow. Her play AMERICA v. 2.1 was awarded the inaugural Burman New Play Prize and received its world premiere production at Barrington Stage Company in June 2019.Visit www. staceytherose.com to learn more!

Rory Sheriff, Director/Playwright

A veteran and proud product of a military family, Rory founded Brand New Sheriff Productions with a vision to mentor the youth and to assist veterans and their families. His original productions include Be A Lion, the recipient of Broadway World's 2017 Charlotte Regional Award for Best Musical, which is an inspired spin-off of the Broadway musical The Wiz, and the "coming-to-age" military production, Boys To Baghdad, which is a semi-biographical depiction of Rory's own military experience. His community activeness is not limited to veterans and their families. Rory mentors young high school boys with making life decisions. (i.e. military or college) He also supports less fortunate children with school supply drives and theatre workshops. 

LeShea Stukes, Actor

LeShea is a Charlotte-based actress with a robust list of theatre credits. Her memorable role as ‘Risa’ in Brand New Sheriff’s latest production of August Wilson’s Two Trains Running earned her the 2019 Metrolina Theater Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, and she was recently voted Best Actress in the Queen City Nerve’s 2020 Best in the Nest issue. Although LeShea wears many hats in the community, she hopes to continue to move crowds to personal reflection, enlightenment and laughter through her passionate performances given on stage.

Quentin Talley, Director/Actor/Playwright

Acclaimed for multiple talents, Quentin Talley is an accomplished poet, actor, director, and producer. Quentin is Founder and Artistic Director of OnQ Performing Arts, a 2012 recipient of the inaugural Leadership U Fellowship, administered by Theater Communications Group and funded by The Andrew Mellon Foundation, and 2003 graduate of Winthrop University with a BA in Theatre Performance. Learn more about Quentin at www.quentintalley.com.

Martin Wilkins, Director

Martin is an award-winning director and producer based in Charlotte. Select directing credits include Lynn Nottage’s Sweat at Warehouse Theatre, Tony Kushner’s Angel’s in America, co-directed with Artistic Director Freddie Ashley, and Suzan-Lori Park’s Father Comes Home from the Wars at Actor’s Express, Suzan-Lori Park’s In the Blood for UGA Theatre, Robert O’Hara’s Bootycandy and Lydia R. Diamond’s Stick Fly at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, and Terry Teachout’s Satchmo at the Waldorf at B Street Theatre. Martin is a proud member of the inaugural class of National Directors Fellows. Learn more about his work at www.martindwilkins.com.