Black Arts MKE Presents Milwaukee Black Theater Festival

About this campaign

Black Arts MKE is excited to welcome you to the Third Annual Milwaukee Black Theater Festival & Fundraiser. We have been through the challenges of the pandemic; our social, emotional and physical health has been put to the test. We at Black Arts MKE acknowledge these challenges and rejoice in our ability to come together now to celebrate Black theater, healing and unity. Thank you for joining us this year.

Milwaukee Black Theater Festival kicks off with YOUTH NIGHT fun inspiring performances from many of Milwaukee youth theater and dance organizations. We launch the WORLD PREMIER of KHLOE’S BEAUTIFUL BLUES by La’Ketta Caldwell and WORLD PREMIER of MILWAUKEE VOICES OF GUN VIOLENCE, a documentary theater play by Sheri Williams Pannell. We jumpstart the weekend with HIDDEN HEROES by Shà Cage – The Black Women of NASA – A HIDDEN HISTORY COMES TO LIFE, and kick off our shoes at our FAMILY REUNION CONCERT FUNDRAISER produced by Antoine Reynolds and featuring Milwaukee’s most talented R & B and Gospel artists and musicians. Our final day features MILWAUKEE BLACK THEATER COMMUNITY, LET’S TALK! including a History of Milwaukee Black Theater, moderated panel discussion and an Aldophus Ward Scholarship Presentation. THIS JUST IN by Malaina Moore an emerging young Black playwright will be followed by HEALING THROUGH THE ARTS SHOWCASE performances presented by several artists and survivors as portrayed in MILWAUKEE VOICES OF GUN VIOLENCE. Join us for five days and evenings of great performances. We have some special guests and other surprises are in store.

Black Arts MKE has served as Milwaukee’s premiere arts and culture organization dedicated to increasing the availability and quality of African American arts for our community. As our community addresses the converging pandemics of COVID-19 and ongoing racial injustices, Black Arts MKE is working to build upon our mission and efforts across the community to amplify African American performing arts and culture that inspire pride, empowerment, and provide opportunities for MKE-based professional and emerging artists of color. We’re are proud to produce Milwaukee Black Theater Festival to share more of our stories and put a spotlight on many of our emerging young African American playwrights and professional theater organizations including in-residence group Bronzeville Arts Ensemble, and Lights! Camera! Soul!.

Safety is our first priority at all the venues hosting Milwaukee Black Theater Festival. We appreciate your cooperation as we work to provide a safe environment for all attendees at Milwaukee Black Theater Festival venues this year, St. Ann Center Indaba Community Band Shell, The Table Vocational Center, Marcus Performing Arts Center and Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. Masks are encouraged in all indoor venues, but are not required. Milwaukee Black Theater Festival will go on and we thank you for helping us bring back live performing arts!

On behalf of Black Arts MKE Board of Directors and staff, thank you to our supporters, United Performing Arts Fund, Wisconsin Humanities, The Black Seed and the National Endowment for the Arts. As always, we appreciate you for supporting Milwaukee Black Theater Festival, now and in the future.

Visit our website at blackartsmke.org to learn more about our 2022 season.