15th Annual Sankofa Festival

15th Annual Sankofa Festival

By MMB Theatre 1 Project

Directed by Curtis K. Rivers, Artistic Director

The Sankofa Theatre Festival is an annual one week African American theatrical festival of one-acts.

Please Note revised schedule as of 8/19/2024!

Tues, 8/20 @ 7:30 PM Tuesday, Day One-Sankofa Opening

   A James Baldwin Tribute

   Playwright Legacy Award (Laura Thomas)

 Levels of Love by Rudy Valentino

*Wed, Aug 21 @ 7:30 PM  Day Two [One-Act Play + Poetry Presentation]

The Past is the Past by Richard Wesley

Bonus show - SANKOFA: Words and Rhythms from Beyond - David Shakes, Anderson Allen, Reenah Golden

(please note that Sarah and Sally by Vickie Hampton will no longer be performed)

*Thurs, Aug 22@ 7:30 PM    Day Three [One-Act Play + Poetry Presentation]

The Past is the Past by Richard Wesley

Bonus show - SANKOFA: Words and Rhythms from Beyond - David Shakes, Anderson Allen, Reenah Golden

(please note that The Brothers Size by Tarell Alvin McCraney will no longer be performed)

Fri,        Aug 23@ 7:30PM    Day Four [Featured Playwright]

   Incorrigible: School Pipeline to Prison by Karen D. Culley

Sat,     Aug 24 @ 2:00PM Day Five only $5.  [Youth Staged Reading]

   To Be Young Gifted and Black by Lorraine Hansberry

Sat,     Aug 24 @ 7:30PM    Day Five [Featured Playwright]

   Incorrigible by Karen D. Culley

Sun,   Aug 25 @ 2:00 PM  Day Six only $5 [StageCraft Fellowship Program Culminating Event]

 Monologues on Clarissa Street [excerpts] by Karen D. Culley

   Perfomed by the StageCraft Fellows in conjunction with Writers & Books.

*Indicates a schedule change since the original announcement

Tickets

All Week Pass $49.98, 

Advance $17, 

Matinee/staged readings are $5 and 

At the door $25.

2024 SANKOFA THEATRE FESTIVAL

Bringing Life to the Stage.

2024 Selected Playwrights

Rudy Valentino

Richard Wesley

Vickie Hampton

Tarell Alvin McCraney

Karen Culley

This year, many events are designed to inspire audiences and artists alike. For over 15 years, the MMB Theatre 1 Project, through the Sankofa Theatre Festival, has been at the forefront of promoting local playwrights, directors, and actors. 

This year is no different. We are excited to continue this tradition of fostering creativity and showcasing the incredible talent within our community. With various performances, tributes, and discussions, the festival aims to provide enriching experiences for all who participate. We invite you to join us in celebrating the arts and supporting the next generation of theater-makers.

2024 Sankofa Theatre Festival Line-Up

2024 Sankofa Theatre Festival Lineup

8/20 Tuesday @ 7:30 PM, Day One-Sankofa Opening

A James Baldwin Tribute

Playwright Legacy Award (Laura Thomas)

Love is Life by Rudy Valentino

A Centennial Tribute to James Baldwin: 15 Years of Sankofa

Join us for a landmark celebration as we launch the 15th annual Sankofa Theatre Festival with a special tribute to the legendary James Baldwin, in honor of what would have been his 100th birthday. Sankofa, meaning "to remember the past to build a brighter future, go back and get it" is the guiding spirit of this year's festival as we reflect on Baldwin's enduring influence.

In this milestone year, we bring Baldwin's powerful words and ideas to life through stirring readings, compelling stories, and dynamic enactments by the esteemed David Shakes, a pioneering force in Rochester's Black Theater scene. This celebration is not just about honoring Baldwin's legacy but also about highlighting our community's contributions to the arts.

We are proud to present the first-ever Sankofa Playwright Legacy Award to Laura A. Thomas, recognizing her extraordinary body of work that continues to inspire and elevate the world of theater.

Join us for this momentous occasion as we celebrate 15 years of Sankofa and honor one of the most transformative voices in literature and theater.

The first one-act of the festival is "Levels of Love".

"Levels of Love" is a stage play that follows the emotional journey of a couple, Philly and Chelsa, as they navigate the complexities of love. From their initial meeting at a show, where they share an instant connection, to the highs of romantic dinners and the lows of misunderstandings and mistrust, the play captures the evolution of their relationship. Throughout the play, pivotal moments are underscored by songs that reflect the emotions of each scene.

As the relationship faces challenges, Philly and Chelsa must confront their feelings and decide whether their love can survive. The play culminates in a touching reenactment of their first meeting, reminding them of the love they once shared.

*8/21 Wednesday @ 7:30 PM, Day Two

[One-Act Play + Poetry Presentation]

The Past is the Past by Richard Wesley

Bonus show -

Sankofa: Words and Rhythms from Beyond - D. Shakes, A. Allen R Golden

"The Past is the Past," written by Richard Wesley, is a captivating one-act play that delves into the complexities of history, personal choices, and the enduring impact of our past actions. Through compelling storytelling and nuanced character development, the play invites audiences to reflect on the repercussions of past decisions and the intricate web of relationships that shape our lives. With poignant dialogue and thought-provoking narrative, "The Past is the Past" offers a profound exploration of human experiences and the enduring influence of history on our present realities. Join us for an evening of powerful theater that will resonate long after the final curtain call.

**""Sankofa: Words and Rhythms from Beyond** – Immerse yourself in a powerful journey through the lyrical landscapes crafted by literary giants like Paul Laurence Dunbar, Sterling Brown, Langston Hughes, and Amiri Baraka. This evocative experience is further amplified by the electrifying performances of contemporary spoken word artists Anderson Allen and Reenah Golden. In a special tribute, David Shakes will channel the voices of our ancestors, bringing their timeless wisdom to life. Join us for an unforgettable evening where the past and present converge in a harmonious celebration of words and rhythms.

*8/22 Thursday @ 7:30 PM, Day Three

[One-Act Play + Poetry Presentation]

The Past is the Past by Richard Wesley

Bonus show -

Sankofa: Words and Rhythms from Beyond - D. Shakes, A. Allen R Golden

"The Past is the Past," written by Richard Wesley, is a captivating one-act play that delves into the complexities of history, personal choices, and the enduring impact of our past actions. Through compelling storytelling and nuanced character development, the play invites audiences to reflect on the repercussions of past decisions and the intricate web of relationships that shape our lives. With poignant dialogue and thought-provoking narrative, "The Past is the Past" offers a profound exploration of human experiences and the enduring influence of history on our present realities. Join us for an evening of powerful theater that will resonate long after the final curtain call.

**""Sankofa: Words and Rhythms from Beyond** – Immerse yourself in a powerful journey through the lyrical landscapes crafted by literary giants like Paul Laurence Dunbar, Sterling Brown, Langston Hughes, and Amiri Baraka. This evocative experience is further amplified by the electrifying performances of contemporary spoken word artists Anderson Allen and Reenah Golden. In a special tribute, David Shakes will channel the voices of our ancestors, bringing their timeless wisdom to life. Join us for an unforgettable evening where the past and present converge in a harmonious celebration of words and rhythms.

8/23 Friday @ 7:30 PM, Day Four

[Featured Playwright]

Incorrigible: School Pipeline to Prison by Karen D. Culley

Sometimes, the scariest horror movies are those based on real-life occurrences. Though our current school systems have created some amazing scholars, they have also festered traumas, pushing participants to unseemly realities. In the upcoming play ""Incorrigible,"" we delve into the harrowing realities of the school-to-prison pipeline through the poignant stories of three young men as they navigate life as adults. Set against the backdrop of the 1990s, a tumultuous time for many, these characters share their experiences shaped by home life difficulties, learning disabilities, and trauma.

Through raw and honest narratives, the audience is invited to witness the profound impact of systemic challenges on these individuals, shedding light on the broader issues of our society. ""Incorrigible"" serves as a compelling exploration of how circumstances beyond one's control can set a trajectory that is difficult to escape.

8/24 Saturday Afternoon @ 2:00 PM, Day Five

[Youth Staged Reading]

Young Gifted and Black by Lorraine Hansberry

Directed by Reenah Golden

Cast Youth from The Avenue Blackbox

Young, Gifted, and Black is a stage play that celebrates the life and work of Lorraine Hansberry, the trailblazing African American playwright. Compiled by her former husband, Robert Nemiroff, the play weaves together Hansberry's writings—autobiographical reflections, letters, and excerpts from her works. Through vignettes and monologues, it explores themes of racial identity, activism, and feminism, offering a poignant tribute to Hansberry's enduring legacy and her belief in the power of art to inspire change.

8/24 Saturday Night @ 7:30 PM, Day Five

[Featured Playwright]

Incorrigible: School Pipeline to Prison by Karen D. Culley

Sometimes, the scariest horror movies are those based on real-life occurrences. Though our current school systems have created some amazing scholars, they have also festered traumas, pushing participants to unseemly realities. In the upcoming play ""Incorrigible,"" we delve into the harrowing realities of the school-to-prison pipeline through the poignant stories of three young men as they navigate life as adults. Set against the backdrop of the 1990s, a tumultuous time for many, these characters share their experiences shaped by home life difficulties, learning disabilities, and trauma.

Through raw and honest narratives, the audience is invited to witness the profound impact of systemic challenges on these individuals, shedding light on the broader issues of our society. ""Incorrigible"" serves as a compelling exploration of how circumstances beyond one's control can set a trajectory that is difficult to escape.

*8/25 Sunday Afternoon @ 2:00 PM, Day Six

[StageCraft Fellowship Program Culminating Event]

Monologues on Clarissa Street[excerpts] by Karen D. Culley

Perfomed by the StageCraft Fellows in conjunction with Writers & Books.

Many African-Americans escaping the domestic terrorism of the South to find work in the North found Rochester, NY, to be their home. While there, those that remained carved out thriving jazz, faith, and nightlife communities on what came to be known as Clarissa St.

""Monologues on Clarissa Street"", is their story.

Known as Rochester's Broadway, Clarissa St. became one of the Mecca's for African-Americans traveling north to find work and some solace from the horrors of the South. Even though the wicked had cousins in the North, African-Americans were able to mold and create a connectedness to the others in an emerging movement of acceptance called the New Negro or Harlem Renaissance. This self-reflection and creative exploration continued through the early 1970s.

Monologues on Clarissa St. covers some events and places during this time of The Pythodd, LaRue's Restaurant, and Dan's Tavern. It segments the audience's focus from Children, to Faith, to The Night life and Things To Remember. Bring the family and take a trip back a time not long ago on Clarissa Street.

* indicates a date where presentations have been changed since the original scheule was published

** indicates newly added performances

--

The Sankofa Theatre Festival is an annual theatrical festival primarily of local: playwrights, actors, and directors that come together for one week of theatrical fun. Rochester has long had theatrical productions but has not always had theater festivals, especially that showcase African American playwrights. The Sankofa Theatre Festival is one such festival. 

Originally organized to provide opportunities for African American playwrights to mount their works, the festival has been in various venues, but has remained faithful to its initial calling.   

Initially, the festival was one of one-act plays; it has sometimes grown to two weeks or two mainstage plays and one one-act play for five performances. 

Though the format and content, to a degree, have expanded (other ethnicities are occasionally produced alongside African American plays) audiences can find comfort in viewing theatrical performances agreeing with the culture represented.

MMB Theatre 1 Project  A theater company established at Mood Makers Books 2006 focusing on plays by local and regional playwrights.

Show info: www.muccc.org, www.mpactoday.com, www.facebook.com/people/Sankofa-Theatre-Festival/100063545562397, #sankofatheatrefest