10TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK NATIVITY BY LANGSTON HUGHES 2025 | DIRECTED BY SHERI WILLIAMS PANNELL

Black Nativity by Langston Hughes returns for its 10th Annual Holiday Musical Production, December 11-14, 2025, at Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Marcus Center. Hughes’ joyous holiday musical is a testament to his timeless work, telling the story of the Nativity through a combination of scripture, poetry, dance and song from the African-American perspective.

Each year, Black Arts MKE showcases MKE-based professionals including seasoned and emerging theater talent of color.  We provide opportunities for next-gen artists to display their artistic skills and work alongside talented local theatre professionals and the Marcus Center’s outstanding backstage professionals.  

This year's Black Nativity by Langston Hughes is led by the incomparable Sheri Williams Pannell.  Show leadership includes returning veteran Music Director Antoine Reynolds Sr., Stage Manager Melissa Wanke*, returning Lighting Designer Colin Gawronski, returning Scenic Designer Ron Scot Fry, Costume Designer Amy Horst* and Choreography by led by nationally recognized Davien Kaeson Holton.

We're beyond thrilled to welcome Sheri as our 10th Anniversary season director.  She is a distinguished author/playwright, phenomenal theatrical talent, with an impressive historical reservoir of the culture and community, says Barbara Wanzo, Executive Director of Black Arts MKE.

Black Arts MKE 10th Anniversary Season is generously supported by Bader Philanthropies, Forest County Potawatomi Community, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Gruber Law Offices, Harri Hoffman Foundation, Herzfeld Foundation, and Johnson Controls Foundation.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Black Nativity by Langston Hughes Tickets are on sale now!

DIRECTOR - SHERI WILLIAMS PANNELL

Pannell stated, “I was honored to be invited by Black Arts MKE to direct their 10th Anniversary Production of Black Nativity by Langston Hughes. It is my goal to maintain the spirit of faith, hope, and joy in the birth of the Christ Child, which Hughes so lovingly expressed in his musical, while infusing African American traditions practiced during the holiday season, especially on New Year’s Eve known in the Black community as Watch Night.”   

Sheri Williams Pannell, MFA

Area Head, Musical Theatre | Associate Professor, Theatre

Peck School of the Arts College of the Arts and Architecture

Producing Artistic Director, Bronzeville Arts Ensemble

Senior Artistic Associate, Black Arts MKE

Artistic Associate, First Stage

Co-Founder, Black Theatre Festival MKE

10TH ANNIVERSARY CAST

RETURNING:

Brian Crawford

Cynthia Cobb*

D'Shaunta Stewart

Selena McKnight

Zoe Chambers 

INTRODUCING:

Alyna Williams

Ashley Nash

Derrick Sanders

Earnie Bell

Ja'Kira Austin

Marvin Hannah

Najee Robinson

Ryan Smith

SCHEDULED PERFORMANCES:

BLACK NATIVITY BY LANGSTON HUGHES  Musical performance plus post-show talkback (inclusive run time 2H):

Thursday, December 11, 2025, 7:30PM (Student Matinee 11:00am)

Friday, December 12, 2025, 7:30PM (Student Matinee 11:00am)

Saturday, December 13, 2025, 2:00PM & 7:30PM

Sunday, December 14, 2025, 2:00PM