BAVPA Beacon Alumni Newsletter
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If you would like to unsubscribe The BAVPA Beacon newsletter, please contact RON MANGUM ( [email protected] ) or RUSSELL LINK at ([email protected]). This letter is a great way to keep everyone informed about what’s happening in our lives; please help us to keep it going. The BAVPA Beacon is sad to report the passing of Ujima Theatre founder, Community activist and former BAVPA Theatre teacher, LORNA C. HILL. The BAVPA alumni, staff, faculty, friends offer our condolences to the HILL family and they are in our thoughts and prayers; Hill taught theater arts, theater history and creative writing at BAVPA from 2008-2014. TheChallengerNews.com article, LOVING LORNA: A CHALLENGER TRIBUTE TO THESPIAN EXTRAORDINAIRE LORNA C. HILL: https://thechallengernews.com/2020/07/loving-lorna-a-challenger-tribute-to-thespian-extraordinaire-lorna-c-hill/. TheatreTalk.com audio interview, Lorna: in her own words:https://www.theatertalkbuffalo.com/post/lorna-in-her-own- words?fbclid=IwAR35OYZbCszD13R0DsSh9PYFdIHKMMxm--oqhhoc-S8rvk5QcqyqIc4Wboc. Vimeo.com/Hill interview, BYMI 2010, Unscripted: Lorna C. Hill ( https://vimeo.com/13373497 ) created by DANIEL HENDERSON (2013). BuffaloNews.com/BAVPA related article, Shaken theater community bids farewell to icon, artist, activist Lorna C. Hill: https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/shaken-theater-community-bids-farewell-to-icon-artist-activist- lorna-c-hill/article_e16a15ac-bbd6-11ea-924f-4bb0e2324e19.html. Watch Ujima Theatre ( https://www.ujimacoinc.org/ ) founder LORNA C. HILL, STEPHEN MCKINLEY HENDERSON ( see bio below) and other WNY Black artists in The Blackness Project, a film exploring race and racism in the United States through the lens of African Americans. WBFO.org/ Hill and The Blackness Project article, Our method of trying to create change':Local filmmakers talk series centered on race in America:https://news.wbfo.org/post/our-method-trying-create-change-local-filmmakers-talk-series-centered-race-america. Watch Ujima Theatre ( https://www.ujimacoinc.org/ ) founder LORNA C. HILL, STEPHEN MCKINLEY HENDERSON ( see bio below) and other WNY Black artists in The Blackness Project, a film exploring race and racism in the United States through the lens of African Americans. LATEST BAVPA ALUMNI NEWS AND UPDATES Much Ado’s 2019 production photo, Henderson pictured right. DANIEL HENDERSON (2013) portrayed Bhaltasar in Public Theatre’s ( https://publictheater.org/ ) 2019 production, Much Ado About Nothing. PBS will broadcast the Great Performances filmed version August 14 at 9PM; check local listings. Henderson appears in the Tyler Perry's White House-based political drama, The Oval on the BET network ( https://www.bet.com/shows/tyler- perrys-the-oval.html ) Wednesday nights at 9PM. TVGuide.com upcoming Oval episodes: Unexpected Guest July 15, Twenty-Four Hours and One of Us July 22. Deadline.com article, https://deadline.com/2020/07/tyler-perry-sistas-starting-production-in-atlanta-the-oval-to-follow-1202984890/ . AmericanTheatre.org/Much Ado About Nothing related article, The Public Theatre Announces Radio Drama ‘Richard II’: https://www.americantheatre.org/2020/06/18/the-public-theatre-announces-radio-drama-richard-ii/. Much Ado About Nothing to stream on PBS WNET July 24-September 11:https://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/blog/summer-streaming- lineup/?fbclid=IwAR26sS9bBa4WF_mWg8cWy6Js5Z_ATdbkRZAkKUvpHnxhsL9dSM0yl30wopc. Gospel Singer ALEXIS SPIGHT (2011) performed on Gospel and R&B songwriter Alvin Garrett’s theme song for today's racial and social justice issues in America new single, Something's Different This Time. The song will be featured on his upcoming EP entitled, The Awakening, set for release nationwide July 15. PRNewswire.com article, Grammy®-Nominated Songwriter, Alvin Garrett, Pens Anthem for Today's Racial Tensions with New Single Something's Different This Time:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grammy-nominated-songwriter-alvin-garrett-pens-anthem-for- todays-racial-tensions-with-new-single-somethings-different-this-time-301078933.html. Check out JAY DREF’S (2009 ) new album, Drifting: https://open.spotify.com/album/5EDm1O5wfTdZMGTMvE0bzV. ClassicalCrossovermagazine.com review, Classical Crossover Baritone Jay Dref: https://www.classicalcrossovermagazine.us/classical- crossover-baritone-jay-dref/ . GABRIEL ROBERE’ (2005) and WGRZ-TV Channel 2’s CLAUDINE EWING (1988) and appeared in the 2018 action/sci-fi horror film, The First Purge, ( https://www.uphe.com/movies/the-first-purge ) starring Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Oscar winner Marisa Tomei and Patch Dorragh. Collider.com article, ‘The Forever Purge’ Gets New Release Date Following Indefinite Delay ( https://collider.com/the-purge-5-release-date- update/ ) July 9, 2021. Educator, Saxophonist and Composer JAMES BRANDON LEWIS Quartet (2001) performs at Amherst, MA November 12: http://www.jblewis.com/. Downbeat.com/ Lewis related article, Terri Lyne Carrington Tops 2020 DownBeat Critics Poll: https://downbeat.com/news/detail/carrington- tops-2020-downbeat-critics-poll. LondonJazzNews.com CD review, James Brandon Lewis, Chad Taylor – “Live in Willisau: https://londonjazznews.com/2020/06/18/james- brandon-lewis-chad-taylor-live-in-willisau/. Lewis’ new CD, Live at Willisau: (https://jamesbrandonlewis.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-willisau ) is on sale now. Celebrity Make Up Artist SIR JOHN BARNETT (2000) created the Luminess Cosmetics Limited Edition/Disney’s The Lion King Make Up Collection: https://www.luminessbeauty.com/disney/Home. MovieWeb.com article, Black Is King Teaser Reveals Beyoncé's Lion King Inspired Visual Album for Disney+: https://movieweb.com/black-is- king-teaser-beyonce/. VICTORIA PEREZ (1997) is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Raices Theatre Company (www.raicestheatrecompany.com), SMIRNA MERCEDES-PEREZ (1992) and LISETTE DEJESUS are RTC members; the theatre ensemble is celebrating its sixth anniversary. RTC in conjunction with MusicalFare Theatre presents In the Heights at 710 Main Theatre (https://www.sheas.org/710-theatre/ ) November 30- December 6. For tickets and show times, go to link. Check out Lin-Manuel Miranda's first Tony-winning musical In the Heights and its road to Broadway in the documentary In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams on August 7 on PBS, check local listings for broadcast times. Broadway.com article, In the Heights Documentary, Kelli O'Hara in The King and I & More to Air on PBS This Summer: https://www.broadway.com/buzz/199625/in-the-heights-documentary-kelli-ohara-in-the-king-and-i-more-to-air-on-pbs-this- summer/?fbclid=IwAR0xuZMWH9XT4xbo8I5-Vv6xgewM_7d_6LJeE064fab88oPYMKA7BQgqaEk. SCOTT “GUS” POITRAS (1992) is the advanced carpenter in the San Francisco, CA staging of J.K. Rowling’s stage play, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child at Curran Theatre in San Francisco, CA:https://www.harrypottertheplay.com/san-francisco/. MuggleNet.com article, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, San Francisco and London Productions of “Cursed Child” Prolong Suspended Operations:https://www.mugglenet.com/2020/06/warner-bros-studio-tour-london-san-francisco-and-london-productions-of-cursed-child- prolong-suspended-operations/ . Broadway.com article, Broadway Performance Suspension Extended Through January 3: https://www.broadway.com/buzz/199499/broadway- performance-suspension-extended-through-january-3/. Poitras was production carpenter in the Broadway musical comedy The Prom ( https://theprommusical.com/ ) closed August 18, 2019. July 5, 2018 marked the 2nd anniversary of The Prom musical opening on Broadway; the production played for 309 performances at Longacre Theatre. Broadway.com/The Prom musical and film related article, Podcast: LITTLE KNOWN FACTS with Ilana Levine and Special Guest, Ariana DeBose : https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Podcast-LITTLE-KNOWN-FACTS-with-Ilana-Levine-and-Special-Guest-Ariana-DeBose- 20200629. SheKnows.com\/The Prom related article, Nicole Kidman Says Her New Movie With Meryl Streep Is Nothing Like Big Little Lies: https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/2282008/nicole-kidman-meryl-streep-the-prom-netflix/. NYTimes.com article, Beyond Broadway, the Show Does Go On: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/04/theater/theaters-persevere-in- pandemic.html. Author/Dancer/African Drum Instructor and Educator KRISTIN CRAGE’s (1988) publication, Woman to Woman-The Conversation, Part I is available for purchase: https://www.amazon.com/ Woman-Conversation-Part-I/dp/0692164618. Woman to Woman-The Conversation, Part I Book Overview This series is about the conversations we never had, need to have, and still can have. It’s about growing from girl to woman - living, loving and learning while finding self-worth and dignity in the face of serious setbacks and major challenges. This is the journey of releasing pain and anger, no judgment and no-holds-barred and finding the way to love. The Woman to Woman series is for every woman. Singer, Multi-instrumentalist, Poet, Songwriter, Activist and Businesswoman ANI DIFRANCO (1987) to perform online at Monsta X Live ( https://www.livexlive.com/ ) Pay-Per-View Concert in South, KR July 25-July 26. DiFranco to perform Prison Music Project Town Hall (online) July 18 at 5PM; purchase a virtual ticket at http://anidifranco.com/tour. DiFranco is an advocate for The Breathe Act ( https://breatheact.org ) a legislation that would radically transform the nation's criminal justice system by eliminating life sentences, retroactively expunging drug crimes, shutting down multiple federal agencies and permanently closing prisons and