Black Playwrights Gathering 2024: A Recap
artEquity Community,
It started with a dream, a dream to create a closer community of Black playwrights back in the fall of 2022. Fittingly, on Juneteenth 2024, that dream became a reality. On the lands of the Chumash, Tongva, and Kizh peoples (now known as Los Angeles), the Black Playwrights Gathering, hosted by Aleshea Harris and Dominique Morisseau, fed Black bodies, spirits, and souls.
Joyful reunions and enthusiastic introductions were made as epitomes of Black culture and excellence arrived in scores. A land acknowledgement and tributes to the ancestors grounded everyone.
Under clear blue skies, DJ Toks played jams while Black playwrights mingled and partook in the many offerings of wellness, massages, playing spades, learning African dance, putting together puzzles, reading, resting, laughing, or playing Lauryn Hill-themed cornhole—not to mention jumping in the pool! Also, no gathering is complete without great food and Daria LeSassier came through with a delicious lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout the day. And of course there was dancing! Oh, the dancin’!
There were group activities as well. During “Do You Have?” teams needed to produce 10 out of the 13 items listed from what they had in their pockets and bags. First team to do so won a prize. Give it up to those who came through with a lottery ticket and a $2 bill!
But it wasn’t all fun and games. There were moments for quiet introspection. Folks took time to answer our journal prompt (What do you want to bring with you to the future?) in the Afro-Futurism room and gave testimonial (What words of affirmation do you want to give to Black Playwrights?). There was also a Community Conversation where playwrights responded to queries like: “You know you are Black when . . . ,” “How are you managing your mental health?,” “How do you stay uplifted and motivated to keep writing?,” “What is being a Black playwright?,” and “What does freedom look like?” In a place of safety and fellowship, lived experiences were shared and affirmed.
Starting as a need, a wish, a dream, the 2024 Black Playwrights Gathering ended with nearly 100 Black playwrights in beloved community, awash in the warm glow of connection and support. We hope it was the medicine you needed. We are grateful to all of the Black playwrights who were able to join us. We also want to acknowledge all that worked joyfully and tirelessly to make the gathering not only possible, but a success: Patricia Garza, Nijeul Porter, Alexis Green, Sharifa Johka, Lauren Turner Hines, Michael Robertson, Aleshea Harris, Dominique Morisseau, Shay Wafer, Carmen Morgan, and many more.
Until we all gather again!
The artEquity Team
Big thanks to the following: Black Realities, Center Theatre Group, DJ Toks, (all posted photos/videos by) DVR Productions, Fresh Color, Geffen Playhouse, The Got Damn Hot Sauce, Homeboy Silkscreen, House of Sacred Harmony, LeSassier Catering, Manly Handz, Nappily Naturals, Pasadena Playhouse, WACO Theater Center, Wadagammi, and many others!
The Black Playwrights Gathering is one of artEquity’s newest programs, and we hope to expand it in the future while continuing to make participation as accessible as possible. In addition to support from foundations, we cherish donations from our community to grow our programs and create spaces where BIPOC artists can connect and thrive.
If you would like to support the Black Playwrights Gathering, please consider joining our community of donors by making a contribution to artEquity in any amount. Select “Show my support by making this a recurring donation” if you’d like to become a monthly sustainer!
The Black Playwrights Gathering is in collaboration with WACO Theater Center.
This event is also supported in part by American Conservatory Theater; Black Realities; Center Theatre Group; Dramatists Guild Foundation; Ford Foundation; New York Theatre Workshop; Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts; and the Venturous Theater Fund, a fund of Tides Foundation.
Thank you to our supporters!
artEquity provides the tools, resources, and training to support the intersection of art and activism. Our work is made possible in part by The Ford Foundation, the Getty Foundation, Barbara and Amos Hostetter, the Howard Gilman Foundation, the JKW Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Shubert Foundation, and a growing community of individuals and organizations across the globe.
