 By Face Off Theatre Company KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Ever had a big crush on someone only to find there’s a competing admirer? Or a major love relationship end? Or, suffered a huge blow to your sense of community? These very relatable experiences are unpacked in eLLe, a thought-provoking, witty, sexy play opening in November designed to open our eyes about the issues facing queer women of color, a not-often-talked-about segment of the LGBTQ and Black communities. The play is the first-ever collaboration between the Black Arts & Cultural Center's Face Off Theatre Company and Queer Theatre Kalamazoo. Four performances will be offered Nov. 14-17, 2019 in the Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre in the Epic Center in downtown Kalamazoo. Humorous, heart-wrenching Part humorous, part heart-wrenching and set in Kalamazoo, eLLe - This Lane Open is the 10th installment in an episodic series by Western-Michigan-University-educated playwright Shawntai Brown, of Detroit, herself an out African-American queer woman. For six of its 10 years, Queer Theatre Kalamazoo has staged the eLLe series, which was inspired by the popular Showtime “L Word” show. Then it reached a point in the development of Brown’s series where it made sense to partner with Face Off. Six African-American female theater and playwriting WMU grads created Face Off Theatre Company in 2015 to be the theater arm of the Black Arts & Cultural Center; it is housed in the Epic Center. Issues of race, safe spaces “The playwright has begun including more characters of color and more important issues about race, biases and queerness in the Black community,” explains Sarah E. MacLean, resident company director of Queer Theatre Kalamazoo. “We are grateful for the collaboration with Face Off to support and portray these messages successfully.” The production is jointly directed by MacLean and Marissa Harrington, artistic director of Face Off Theatre Company. Both say eLLe has general themes with which all adult audiences should be able to connect. “We hope that audiences will see a little bit of themselves in each character and each story line,“ Face Off’s Harrington says. “But we also hope that this play will spark conversation surrounding safe spaces in the Kalamazoo community not only for queer individuals, but everyone.” The show stars: Elizabeth Field, Shannon Fleckenstein, Laura Kay Henderson, Zaynee Hobdy, Quinn Hornick, Celine Justice, Brooke Lindley and Jayla Smith. BONUS!!! Each performance is preceded by “A Ligature for Black Bodies," a short play about police brutality by Kalamazoo playwright Denise Miller, executive director of OutFront Kalamazoo, a LGBTQ advocacy group. The powerful piece debuted at Face Off Theatre Company's New Play Series this past July. About 'eLLe' SHOWTIMES eLLe will be staged 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 14-16; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17 at the Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre, Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, downtown Kalamazoo. SYNOPSIS The lives of queer Kalamazoo women intertwine even more when Izabel and Naya, sworn enemies competing for Lane's attention, begin working at the same Kalamazoo grocery store. Their competition turns outward when their friends start carting their issues of loneliness through the aisles. Devon and Mia are searching for intimate connections while Carrie and Lane are determined to remain solitary. THE PLAYWRIGHT Shawntai Brown is a Detroit writer, literacy coordinator and teaching artist with a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing from Western Michigan University and a Master of Arts in literacy learning education from Marygrove College. She serves as a resident playwright adviser for Queer Theatre Kalamazoo. Her poetry and plays have been performed and published in various venues and publications. (Source: Michigan Council of the Arts and Cultural Affairs) About the Partnering Producers Face Off Theatre Company Face Off Theatre Company became the new face of theater for Kalamazoo’s Black Arts & Cultural Center in 2015. It is devoted to thought-provoking Black theater and the development of playwrights of color, drawing audiences from throughout Southwest Michigan to its performances at the Epic Center’s Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre and nearby artistic venues. Purchase tickets for shows anytime online or, at the door. For more: faceofftheatre.com Queer Theatre Kalamazoo Queer Theatre Kalamazoo formed in 2013 to be an inclusive, welcoming, exploratory theater that regularly produces new works in collaboration with local artists and organizations, and serves as a safe physical space to find community and build friendships. It has a performing space at 315 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo (inside the First Baptist Church building). For more: queertk.com Black Arts & Cultural Center The Black Arts & Cultural Center, headquartered at downtown Kalamazoo's Epic Center, is widely known for its annual Black Arts Festival since founding in 1986. The organization develops the potential and creativity in Blacks in the Kalamazoo area, advances the awareness of Black artistic ability, helps to preserve Black cultural heritage and enhance interactions among diverse groups. For more: blackartskalamazoo.org 
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 By Face Off Theatre Company KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Ever had a big crush on someone only to find there’s a competing admirer? Or a major love relationship end? Or, suffered a huge blow to your sense of community? These very relatable experiences are unpacked in eLLe, a thought-provoking, witty, sexy play opening in November designed to open our eyes about the issues facing queer women of color, a not-often-talked-about segment of the LGBTQ and Black communities. The play is the first-ever collaboration between the Black Arts & Cultural Center's Face Off Theatre Company and Queer Theatre Kalamazoo. Four performances will be offered Nov. 14-17, 2019 in the Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre in the Epic Center in downtown Kalamazoo. Humorous, heart-wrenching Part humorous, part heart-wrenching and set in Kalamazoo, eLLe - This Lane Open is the 10th installment in an episodic series by Western-Michigan-University-educated playwright Shawntai Brown, of Detroit, herself an out African-American queer woman. For six of its 10 years, Queer Theatre Kalamazoo has staged the eLLe series, which was inspired by the popular Showtime “L Word” show. Then it reached a point in the development of Brown’s series where it made sense to partner with Face Off. Six African-American female theater and playwriting WMU grads created Face Off Theatre Company in 2015 to be the theater arm of the Black Arts & Cultural Center; it is housed in the Epic Center. Issues of race, safe spaces “The playwright has begun including more characters of color and more important issues about race, biases and queerness in the Black community,” explains Sarah E. MacLean, resident company director of Queer Theatre Kalamazoo. “We are grateful for the collaboration with Face Off to support and portray these messages successfully.” The production is jointly directed by MacLean and Marissa Harrington, artistic director of Face Off Theatre Company. Both say eLLe has general themes with which all adult audiences should be able to connect. “We hope that audiences will see a little bit of themselves in each character and each story line,“ Face Off’s Harrington says. “But we also hope that this play will spark conversation surrounding safe spaces in the Kalamazoo community not only for queer individuals, but everyone.” The show stars: Elizabeth Field, Shannon Fleckenstein, Laura Kay Henderson, Zaynee Hobdy, Quinn Hornick, Celine Justice, Brooke Lindley and Jayla Smith. BONUS!!! Each performance is preceded by “A Ligature for Black Bodies," a short play about police brutality by Kalamazoo playwright Denise Miller, executive director of OutFront Kalamazoo, a LGBTQ advocacy group. The powerful piece debuted at Face Off Theatre Company's New Play Series this past July. About 'eLLe' SHOWTIMES eLLe will be staged 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 14-16; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17 at the Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre, Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, downtown Kalamazoo. SYNOPSIS The lives of queer Kalamazoo women intertwine even more when Izabel and Naya, sworn enemies competing for Lane's attention, begin working at the same Kalamazoo grocery store. Their competition turns outward when their friends start carting their issues of loneliness through the aisles. Devon and Mia are searching for intimate connections while Carrie and Lane are determined to remain solitary. THE PLAYWRIGHT Shawntai Brown is a Detroit writer, literacy coordinator and teaching artist with a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing from Western Michigan University and a Master of Arts in Literacy Learning Education from Marygrove College. She serves as a resident playwright adviser for Queer Theatre Kalamazoo. Her poetry and plays have been performed and published in various venues and publications. (Source: Michigan Council of the Arts and Cultural Affairs) About the Partnering Producers Face Off Theatre Company Face Off Theatre Company became the new face of theater for Kalamazoo’s Black Arts & Cultural Center in 2015. It is devoted to thought-provoking Black theater and the development of playwrights of color, drawing audiences from throughout Southwest Michigan to its performances at the Epic Center’s Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre and nearby artistic venues. Purchase tickets for shows anytime online or, at the door. For more: faceofftheatre.com Queer Theatre Kalamazoo Queer Theatre Kalamazoo formed in 2013 to be an inclusive, welcoming, exploratory theater that regularly produces new works in collaboration with local artists and organizations, and serves as a safe physical space to find community and build friendships. It has a performing space at 315 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo (inside the First Baptist Church building). For more: queertk.com Black Arts & Cultural Center The Black Arts & Cultural Center, headquartered at downtown Kalamazoo's Epic Center, is widely known for its annual Black Arts Festival since founding in 1986. The organization develops the potential and creativity in Blacks in the Kalamazoo area, advances the awareness of Black artistic ability, helps to preserve Black cultural heritage and enhance interactions among diverse groups. For more: blackartskalamazoo.org   Seven actresses aged 20s-60s of various backgrounds are needed for Face Off Theatre Company and Queer Theatre Kalamazoo's upcoming production of Shawntai Brown's eLLe (scroll down for synopsis). Auditions planned 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23 at the Black Arts & Cultural Center located in the Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, in downtown Kalamazoo.
Here's the character breakdown:
The lives of queer Kalamazoo women intertwine when Izabel and Naya, sworn enemies competing for Lane's attention, begin working at the same grocery store. Their competition turns outward when their friends start carting their issues of loneliness through the aisles. Devon and Mia are searching for intimate connections while Carrie and lane are determined to remain solitary.  Are you a woman aged 20 to 60? Face Off Theatre Company wants you to audition! There's two dates: 2-4 p,m. Sunday, Sept. 22 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23 at the Black Arts & Cultural Center in downtown Kalamazoo. We're seeking a multiracial cast of 7 actresses for our November production of eLLe by Detroit-based Black playwright/Western Michigan University grad Shawntai Brown, being staged in collaboration with Queer Theatre Kalamazoo.
The play follows the lives and intersections of queer women navigating self-love, community, career and identity. (Click here for character breakdown and synopsis). NEEDED: Seven (7) actresses: 3 African American (20s, 30s, 30s-40s); 1 Mexican/European American (30s-40s); plus 3 women of any race (20-30s, 30s, 50-60s). WHERE: Auditions will be held both days at the Black Arts & Cultural Center, 2nd floor, Epic Center, located at 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall in downtown Kalamazoo. PROCESS: Appointments are not required. Nor must you prepare a selection. A script will be supplied at the audition, which should last 20 minutes each. If you prefer, bring a monologue if you have one. INFO: Email questions to faceofftheatre@gmail.com. REHEARSALS: They begin Sept. 29. SHOWTIME: The play will be staged Nov. 14-17, 2019. TICKETS: https://blackartskalamazoo.org/fotc/  KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Coming to the Black Arts Festival for the first time is Face Off Theatre Company's New Play Series, showcasing three powerful original works by prominent, local African-American female writers that'll have you wanting to cry one minute, laugh the next. Face Off is the theater arm of the Black Arts & Cultural Center, organizers of the Black Arts Festival. Police brutality, hate, black self-identity, class, campus climate, and the pressure on women of color to try to do it all are among the timely issues that the New Play Series explores during four performances in July, 'A lot undiscovered talent' While Face Off Theatre Company has presented new plays since founding in 2015, July's New Play Series represents the first time the company coached the authors of those new plays through every phase of developing their pieces, from first draft, revisions after staged readings, and, finally, fully staged productions, complete with scenery, blocking, auditions and lines memorized. “There aren't many theaters outside of major theater hubs like Chicago and New York that do full productions of new work," explains Face Off Theatre Season Planning Director and Co-Founder Mickey Moses, whose own plays the company has helped stage. "We believe there's a lot of undiscovered talent out there who just need the right opportunity to be able to shine." Who are the playwrights? The three featured playwrights are Kalamazoo area historian Dr. Michelle Johnson (Dreamin'), poet Denise Miller (A Ligature of Black Bodies), and actress/veteran print-broadcast journalist Earlene McMichael (You're Gonna Learn Today), all of whom are accomplished writers in their fields. These are their first plays. Johnson and Miller are co-founders of the Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative in Kalamazoo. McMichael is co-founder of the Rising Stars Summer Journalism Program that operated at the Kalamazoo Gazette for 12 years. McMichael performs and writes for Face Off Theatre, where she also serves as brand marketing and social media coordinator.. Showtimes The New Play Series will be staged 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, July 11-13; and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14 at the Jolliffe Theatre, Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, downtown Kalamazoo. Each performance features all three plays for one admission price ($8-$20; $8 if 5 or more tix purchased). For tickets: www.blackartskalamazoo.org/fotc About the plays
“There aren't many theaters outside of major theater hubs like Chicago and New York that do full productions of new work. We believe there's a lot of undiscovered talent out there who just need the right opportunity to be able to shine"   Do you love acting and have a passion for social justice? Face Off Theatre Company is holding auditions from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, June 17-18, 2019 for our summer "New Play Series" that touches on police brutality and campus racism. Up to 25 female and male actors aged 18 & up will be required for the three plays.
NEED: 3 black women (ages 30-40), 1 white woman (20s), 1 black man and 1 black woman (50s), 1 young black girl (18-early 20s), 1 young black man (20s). Also: 15 actors of various races as follows: 10 men, 3 women, and 2 that could be either gender. irl (18-early 20s), WHEN Auditions will be held 6-8 p.m. June 17-18 in the Lower Level classroom at the Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, downtown Kalamazoo. No appointment required. PROCESS No need to prepare a selection. A script will be supplied at the audition (about 20 mins). If you prefer, bring a poem or monologue. QUESTIONS Inbox us on Facebook, or email faceofftheatre@gmail.com. REHEARSALS: They begin the week of June 24. SHOWTIME: The New Play Series involves a commitment to four performances from July 11-14, 2019 at the Black Arts Festival in Kalamazoo. Each performance will feature all three plays. 
 Do you know a youth who should be onstage? Send him or her our way this week. We're holding auditions from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 26-27, for our upcoming youth play that calls for a multiracial cast. Face Off Theatre Company of the Black Arts & Cultural Center is seeking both boys and girls for the staging of Shay Youngblood's "Amazing Grace," about a black, Trinidadian girl who loves to act out stories. The supporting children's roles are written for youth with varied backgrounds, specifically Hispanic, white, East Indian, American Indian, African, as well as African-American youngsters. We are also casting for adult women. NEED: Our company is hoping to find three women, six girls (ages 8-14), four boys (ages 8-14), plus other children 5-15 years old. WHERE: Auditions will be held both days at the Black Arts & Cultural Center, 2nd floor, Epic Center, located at 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall in downtown Kalamazoo. PROCESS: Appointments are not required. Nor must actors prepare a selection. A script will be supplied at the audition, which should last 20 minutes each. If you prefer, bring a poem, a song or monologue if you have one. INFO: Email questions to faceofftheatre@gmail.com. REHEARSALS: They begin the week of April 8, and will run evenings Mondays through Thursdays and Sundays. SHOWTIME: The play will be staged May 16-19, 2019.  KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Want a FREE sneak peek of three plays that the Black Arts & Cultural Center's Face Off Theatre Company will be staging next year?
Come out at 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9 to the "New Play Series: Staged Readings" being held at First Baptist Church, located at 315 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo, up the street from the Radisson Plaza Hotel. Tickets are not required. We will be featuring pieces by three local African-American female playwrights that'll have you laughing one minute and contemplative the next, maybe even crying. Here's the lineup:
Watch for the fully staged productions of these shows in July 2019 at the Black Arts Festival in Kalamazoo.  KALAMAZOO, Mich. – "Mahalia," the highly respected musical drama about legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, kicks off the Black Arts & Cultural Center's Face Off Theatre Company's fifth season in February. It is timed to coincide with Black History Month.
“Her voice became the center point for the Civil Rights Movement, alongside the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," said Artistic Director Marissa Harrington, noting that the story of Jackson, who faced death threats for singing at anti-racism rallies, continues the company’s founding mission of thought-provoking Black theater that invites social change. The rest of Season 5 is devoted to the exciting, original works of emerging and seasoned African-American playwrights with local ties: Von Washington Sr., Michelle Johnson, Earlene McMichael, Denise Miller and Shawntai Brown, all active in the performing arts community. Here’s the lineup:
For more information, email faceofftheatre@gmail.com. (Photo credit: Mahalia Jackson, Wikimedia Commons.) |
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