Wright State grad named program director of Brooklyn-based arts troupe
Dayton native and Wright State University graduate Monica L. Williams has been named director of programs and chief curator of Brooklyn-based arts organization 651 ARTS.
Founded in 1988, the organization seeks to inspire emerging artists and deepen the awareness and appreciation of contemporary African Diasporic artistic expression. In addition to overseeing all aspects of programs and presentations, Williams will help the troupe focus on executing reimagined programming in the era of COVID-19, such as curating small and large scale programs, digital and live presentations.
“We, as a nation, have been deeply impacted by two pandemics — the COVID 19 crisis and the systemic racism that has plagued this country for over 400 years,” said Executive Director David J. Roberts. “I am delighted to welcome Monica to the team as she will spearhead the most integral piece of 651′s identity — our artistic programs. She is an accomplished and passionate curator deeply rooted in the arts of the Diaspora. The ways in which she centers community to the work, thinks globally, not to mention her deep love of Brooklyn, will transform 651′s programming and
serve our larger organizational vision to illuminate the evolving stories and varied cultural experiences. I believe that in Monica we have found the best match for 651 in these historic and future-focused times.”
“I am excited to step into this new role to join the talented and dedicated team at 651 ARTS,” Williams said. “It is an incredible honor to now be part of continuing 651′s long and rich legacy of growing Black arts and Black artists, which has always been the heartbeat of the institution. Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to amplifying the voices and perspectives of those across the African Diaspora. It is now more important than ever before to meet the challenges of the current moment and sustain and grow institutions like 651 ARTS that are
telling our stories. I look forward to working to create opportunities for many in the Diasporic arts, both locally in the wonderful borough of Brooklyn as well as abroad.”
Over the past 20 years, Williams, also a graduate of New York University, has produced, curated and directed performances with major cultural institutions including TEDWomen, the Apollo Theater, and Brooklyn Academy of Music. Her latest work, “In Love and Struggle,” produced with The Meteor, is currently streaming on Audible. She notably appeared in a guest artist capacity as Lena Younger in Wright State’s 2008 production of “A Raisin in the Sun” and starred as Esther Mills in Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s 2005 regional premiere of “Intimate Apparel.”
Broadway Advocacy Coalition announces fellowship
The Broadway Advocacy Coalition (BAC) has created the inaugural BAC Artivism Fellowship to support artists and activists. The Fellowship will provide financial support, mentorship, networking opportunities, and education workshops. The inaugural class of fellows will particularly support Black, female-identifying voices centered on issues relating to systemic racism and criminal justice reform.
“Black women have always been on the front lines leading the charge for social justice, human rights and equality,” said BAC co-founder and Tony Award nominee Adrienne Warren (”Shuffle Along”). “However, Black women are often left out of the narratives connected to those causes and rarely celebrated in moments of triumph. This fellowship is an opportunity to uplift, empower and support female-identifying artists of color. We are all served when a Black woman’s voice is amplified.”
Applications will be open to any female-identifying artists based in the United States. The fellowship will support 10 women over the course of six months, culminating in a digital presentation of their work. For more information, visit bwayadvocacycoalition.org.
Breath Project to offer virtual festival
The Breath Project, an artistic endeavor designed to “select, curate and archive work from multidisciplinary artists of color,” has established a virtual festival this fall spotlighting ongoing concern for racial and social justice in response to the death of George Floyd. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is among the 17 partner theaters across the country asking for entries. The project particularly hopes to find artists of color in the goal to “build relationships between artists of color and producers of live theater in their city, state and/or region.”
The project was cofounded by artistic director Gamal Abdel Chasten, founding member of New Yorkbased Universes Theater Ensemble whose “AmericUS” was commissioned by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. The submission guidelines:
■ Submissions must be a recording of a live performance of original work and must be 8 minutes and 46 seconds in length.
■ Submissions will be accepted from artists of color who reside in the United States (work submitted by artists under the age of 18 will be considered in a youth category).
■ Submissions must include a link to your video submission, artist bio and photo.
■ Deadline for submissions for consideration for the 2020 Virtual Festival will be Monday, Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. PST. At this time, there is no deadline for submissions to the archive.
For more information, visit thebreathproject2020.com.