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Black Arts MKE’s Black Nativity Returns this December, Tickets On Sale Now

Black Arts MKE completes a decade of stunning African American arts and culture with an extra family-focused take on its favorite annual tradition

MILWAUKEE (October 30, 2024) – Black Nativity by Langston Hughes returns for its 9th annual holiday musical production, December 5-8, in the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Marcus Center. Hughes’ holiday musical is a timeless work and Black Arts MKE revisits it each year to reflect on the philosophical and spiritual truths that remain over generations, even as the world and culture changes. Unlike popular holiday theater tradition counterparts like the Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol, Black Nativity offers a classic story from the African-American perspective. Joyous African drumming, traditional gospel and more current arrangements selected by music director Antoine Reynolds will get the audience swaying in their seats. More info and tickets can be found at blackartsmke.org/blacknativity.

Black Arts MKE marks 10 years with full lineup

This year marks the 10th anniversary season of Black Arts MKE, the Black-led performing arts organization.

Each year, it hosts an array of performances, holds youth camps and helps to connect artists with potential career opportunities in and around Milwaukee.

MKE Black Theatre Festival

This summer, there will be a full schedule of productions for the 2024 MKE Black Theatre Festival, which runs Aug. 8 through Aug. 25.

The MKE Black Theatre Festival is an annual event produced by Black Arts MKE. This will be its third summer in action. 

Bronzeville Creative Arts & Tech Hub Wins Key Approval Plan Commission approves design for mixed-used complex including affordable housing.

A proposed mixed-use complex, the Bronzeville Creative Arts & Tech Hub, is nearing a groundbreaking.

The City Plan Commission unanimously endorsed the building’s design Monday afternoon, citing its compatibility with the relatively new Bronzeville design and incentive zone.

The four-story development, which includes 60 apartments and 29,000 square feet of commercial space, would replace a collection of city-owned vacant lots and a vacant building along W. North Avenue between N. 6th and N. 7th streets.

“We are focusing on supporting entrepreneurs and arts organizations,” said developer Michael Adetoro of FIT Investment Group to the plan commission.

A four-story commercial building would be placed at the intersection of W. North Avenue and N. 6th Street. A cafe would be located in the corner. The commercial spaces are to be filled by the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Black Arts MKE, Beyond STEM and 2112, a Chicago-based operator of a similar arts-centric coworking space. Black Arts MKE would have a two-story black box theater in the middle of the structure, with capacity for up to 175 people. The mix of tenants is intended to grow the business, technical and artistic skills of youth and adults.

FULL SCHEDULE RELEASED 2024 MKE BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL IN AUGUST

The full schedule has been unveiled for the 2024 MKE Black Theatre Festival, taking place from August 7-25, 2024. Produced by Black Arts MKE, this year's festival is expanding with three full productions (FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF By Ntozake Shange, THE REALNESS By Idris Goodwin, STORIES ABOUT THE OLD DAYS By Bill Harris), a staged reading of IN THE BLOOD (By Suzan-Lori Parks) during the three-week-long celebration of Black arts and culture.  

Events will take place at various venues throughout Milwaukee, including Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Todd Wehr Theater and Studio 4A at Marcus Center, The Table, Youth & Family Night at Alice's Garden, Insomniac Studios, and Radio MKE.  

Joyful 'Black Nativity' connects birth of Jesus to family life today

Langston Hughes' "Black Nativity" celebrates the birth of Jesus through Black American musical culture. For the eighth consecutive season, a local, intergenerational cast performed this joyful show at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, under the auspices of Black Arts MKE.

Black Arts MKE Earns Prestigious Award | Ruth Foundation for the Arts announces 2023 Core Grant Recipients

Each year, a relevant theme frames the grant questions. For 2023, organizations were asked:  What can be transformed when we ask what we want to keep, what can we lose, and what we want to grow?  The annual program grants $50,000 in unrestricted, operational support. Applications are reviewed by Ruth Arts alongside a rotating group of readers.

‘Black Nativity’ Returns with New Talent

Black Nativity, presented by Black Arts MKE, is a celebration of culture and season that is presented by an impressive array of local talent. Each year of the production contains new aspects to the performance, but this eighth year features a new director, which has allowed for a refresh to the beloved classic story. One can expect updated music, new dancers, and more opportunities for performance accessibility from this year’s stunning show. 

CULTURE, THE ARTS - PUT THESE NATIONAL BLACK THEATER SEASONS ON YOUR "MUST-SEE LIST" FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR

The end of summer is the perfect time to start planning your theater season calendar for the upcoming year. The options feel endless, with Black theater companies across the nation producing a full roster of programming that shouldn’t be missed. Many offer memberships that provide ticket discounts and other perks for the season. Check out the listings below to see what’s playing near your city, and make a plan to travel this fall to add a little theater to your life! 

MKE Black Theatre Festival—Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Expanding this year’s lineup from one week to a three-week-long celebration of Black arts and culture, MKE Black Theatre Festival is presenting two full-length plays: Mud Row, directed by Marti Gobel, and The Meeting, directed by Denzel Taylor, along with workshops, poetry sets and more. Events are taking place at various venues throughout Milwaukee including Marquette University, The Table at Alice’s Garden, Wisconsin Black Historical Society and Museum and Studio 4A at Marcus Center for the Performing Arts through August 27.

Black Arts MKE, Inc.: Full schedule released and tickets on-sale for the 2023 MKE Black Theatre Festival, August 9-27

A 3-week-long festival featuring free events across the city designed to support Black creatives and two full-production ticketed plays: MUD ROW and THE MEETING

MILWAUKEE (July 18, 2023) – Today the full schedule has been unveiled and tickets are now on-sale for the 2023 MKE Black Theatre Festival, taking place from August 9-27, 2023. Produced by Black Arts MKE, this year’s festival is expanding from one week to a three-week-long celebration of Black arts and culture.

Throughout August, the festival will offer ticketed and free events, including two full-production plays, audition and play development workshops, a Black history presentation, a youth and family night, auditions for Black Nativity, a poetry set, and more. Events will occur at various venues throughout Milwaukee, including Marquette University, The Table at Alice’s Garden, Wisconsin Black Historical Society and Museum, and Studio 4A at Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

Black Arts MKE Announces Theatre Festival Lineup

Black Arts MKE will present the MKE Black Theatre Festival Aug. 9-27. The three-week-long celebration of Black arts and culture will host ticketed and free events at various venues throughout Milwaukee, including two full productions, a play development workshop, an audition master class, poetry set, and more. Tickets will go on sale in June.

Milwaukee's Ruth Foundation for the Arts gives out $1.25 million in grants. Three local groups are among the recipients.

Launching its second year of giving, Milwaukee-based Ruth Foundation for the Arts has announced $1.25 million in unrestricted Artist Choice grants to 56 arts and cultural organizations around the country, including three based in Milwaukee.

The local recipients are Black Arts MKE, based at the Marcus Performing Arts Center at 929 N. Water St.; Walker's Point Center for the Arts, 839 S. Fifth St.; and Woodland Pattern Book Center, 720 E. Locust St.

A New Black Girl Fairytale comes to Milwaukee

Black Arts MKE and Bronzeville Arts Ensemble proudly present Zuri’s Crown, a new musical celebrating Black women, their hair, and the power of self-expression and love. Directed by Milwaukee theater legend Sheri Williams Pannell, Zuri’s Crown is an original musical adaptation of the Rapunzel fairytale, where Black hair plays a significant role. The musical follows the story of Zuri, played by Camara Stampley, a young woman coming into her own as she embraces her self-worth and stands up against the forces that seek to diminish it. Through her journey, all theatergoers will be inspired to love and celebrate themselves just as they are.

Black Arts MKE Explores Harlem Renaissance

Black History Month is a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of African Americans to our society, and Black Arts MKE is doing just that with its new theatrical production, Harlem Renaissance. The play, written by local playwright Malaina Moore, is set inside the legendary Savoy Ballroom in Harlem and brings to life four icons of the era: Ella Fitzgerald, Jacob Lawrence, Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes. The play showcases swing, jazz, storytelling, art, and scatting, and is designed to transport young audiences to a pinnacle moment in Black history.

Bronzeville Arts Ensemble's ZURI'S CROWN Announces Auditions on January 30th

Bronzeville Arts Ensemble artist collective has adapted the classic Rapunzel story into a stage musical. ZURI’S CROWN auditions are set to begin auditions at the Marcus Center on January 30, 2023.  Executive produced by Black Arts MKE, ZURI’S CROWN is presented as part of the World Premier Wisconsin – A state-wide festival celebrating new plays and musicals. 

Black Arts MKE: Black Nativity by Langston Hughes returns to kick off holiday season in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (October 18, 2022) – Black Arts MKE’s beloved holiday musical returns for its seventh year with its biggest and best production to date. Black Nativity by Langston Hughes runs one weekend only – December 8-11, 2022, at the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Marcus Center. Set in Milwaukee rather than Bethlehem, this joyous and hopeful re-telling of Hughes’ original 1961 play incorporates poetry, music, and dance from the African diaspora with an all-black, Milwaukee area-based cast.

Milwaukee's Hip Hop DNA is about beats, rhymes and cross-cultural understanding

For anybody who’s ever flipped out discovering the original song sampled in a hip-hop track, or even for anyone who just enjoys celebrating community and culture, there’s an event for you Saturday night. Hip Hop DNA is back Saturday night October 1, 2022, for the first time since its premiere in 2019.

The performance will feature more than 40 artists at the Marcus Center for the Arts, including at 12-person band, in a live exploration of the different influences that make up hip-hop music. A goal is to uplift communities and cultures that are otherwise misunderstood or underrepresented.

Several dancers, including Karlies Kelley of Panadanza and Deepa Devasena of Philadelphia’s Kathak Dance Collective, have choreographed the family friendly event. It’s presented by Black Arts MKE and funded by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals’ ArtsForward grant.

MILWAUKEE BLACK THEATER FESTIVAL IS BACK

Happening this week, the Milwaukee Black Theater Festival returns. The week-long celebration is coming in this year bigger than ever.

BroadwayWorld.com - Black Arts MKE Receives TCG THRIVE! Grant

Black Arts MKE will receive its first Threatre Communications Group (TCG) RESPOND grant, part of the THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color program. With support from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, TCG is working in partnership with an advisory circle of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) to provide unrestricted funds for 20 Black threatres, Indigenous theatres, and theatres of color based in the U.S. RESPOND is designed to provide unrestricted funds to theatres to address immediate, time-sensitive challenges that prevent ongoing work with their community.

UrbanMilwaukee.com - The Milwaukee Black Theater Festival Returns Bigger Than Ever with Events Across the City Black Arts MKE presents week-long celebration showcasing our city’s strong and growing Black performing arts and culture scene

MILWAUKEE (June 15, 2022) – Black Arts MKE is proud to present the third annual Milwaukee Black Theater Festival, returning to venues across the city from August 10-14. The week-long celebration of Black arts and culture features free and ticketed events throughout each day, including full-production and staged reading plays, an R&B and Gospel fundraiser concert, spoken word and dance performances, and talk-back and panel discussions. This year’s theme is The Black Family: Generations Speak!, presented by generations of Black artists, includes events for the entire family, acknowledges community challenges, and encourages everyone to come together now to celebrate Black theater, healing, and unity.

UrbanMilwaukee.com - Black Arts MKE Launches New I AM. Masterclass Series with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Principal Dancer James Gilmer for Local Dance Students

Black Arts MKE collaborated with Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter Sorority to provide a unique week-long summer camp opportunity in dance. I AM. Masterclass will expose local youth to James Gilmer, an accomplished Black artist with the internationally acclaimed African American dance company – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 

Association of Performing Arts Professionals awards over $2 million to artists and presenters to support reopening of the performing arts industry. Black Arts MKE honored to be named an APAP ArtsForward Grantee with our HIP HOP DNA collaborator Kiran Vedula.

The Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) is pleased to announce that it has awarded $2.065 million from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to artists and presenters through ArtsForward, a new program to support the performing arts field’s safe, vibrant, and equitable reopening and recovery. As venues reopen, tours resume, and audiences reconnect, these grants will fuel collaborations between APAP presenter members and partnering artists/ensembles.

Broadway World - Black Arts MKE To Receive $100k Grant From The National Endowment For The Arts

Black Arts MKE have been approved to receive an American Rescue Plan grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to help the arts and cultural sector recover from the pandemic. Black Arts MKE is recommended to receive $100K and may use this funding to save jobs and to fund operations, health and safety supplies, and marketing and promotional efforts to encourage attendance and participation. In total, the NEA will award grants totaling $57,750,000 to 567 arts organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC.

BizTimes - United Way makes initial $1.5 million investment round through its racial equity fund

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County announced Monday the recipients of a $1.5 million investment round through a Racial Equity Fund established with a donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

The investment will support 11 Black- and brown-led Milwaukee organizations over the next three years.

They include: African American Breastfeeding Network, Artists Working in Education, Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of Wisconsin, Black Arts MKE, Inc., Black Educators Caucus, CAPITA (City at Peace in the Arts) Productions, Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, Public Allies Wisconsin, Southside Organizing Committee (SOC), Walker’s Point Center for the Arts (WPCA), and Walnut Way Conservation Corps.

Indaba African Ball Announces Honorees

Seven Milwaukee history-makers will be recognized for their community contributions in a variety of fields at the third annual Indaba African Ball from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, February 5.

Being honored this year in the Hall of History Makers will be:

Sheri Williams Pannell,  founding member and artistic director at Bronzeville Arts Ensemble, a director/teaching artist at Black Arts MKE and a founder of the Milwaukee Black Theatre Festival; assistant professor of theatre at UWM’s Peck School of the Arts.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration

The MLK Planning Committee is excited to invite you to the annual MCW Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Event on Monday, January 17, 2022, at 4 p.m. This year’s theme will be “See Yourself in MLK’s Legacy of Service: Think Next Gen.”

Attendees will hear stories from MCW students on how they have been inspired by Dr. King’s legacy and hope it will impact their future. We’ll also engage with MCW faculty as they share how the institution is innovating curricula through education in health equity and cultural humility to drive excellence in the future of health care.

This event also will include special guests from Black Arts MKE.

WTMJ TV Milwaukee - The musical Black Nativity will have you singing, dancing, and clapping

Chances are you have heard the traditional version of 'Joy To The World'. But you haven't truly experienced the song until you've heard it sung by the cast of the Black Nativity. They put their entire soul into their gospel cover of the song.

Black Nativity is a musical playing this weekend at Vogel Hall which is part of the Marcus Performing Arts Center. The show was written by the famous playwright and poet Langston Hughes. It's being performed by the Black Arts MKE cast.

CarvdnStone - Milwaukee's Black Nativity's Theme is 'For the Culture' to Pay Homage to the Black Community

This winter marks the seventh year Black Arts MKE will host Langston Hughes’ play “Black Nativity”, and this time it has a new theme and new director. Although the pandemic was hard on everyone, it seemed to hit the Black community harder, especially if you mix in the health disparities, racial injustices and more. Milwaukee Black Nativity Director Dimonte Henning understood the toll the pandemic took on us, so through this play he wanted to bring hope and fun back into the Black community.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - 'Black Nativity' director Dimonte Henning connects celebration of Jesus' birth to Black life today

Langston Hughes' gospel play "Black Nativity" focuses on the hope-bringing power of the birth of Jesus, even to the poorest among us. But it also offers a director flexibility in connecting that miracle two millennia ago to life today.

Dimonte Henning, director of Black Arts MKE's new production of "Black Nativity" at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, calls the 2021 theme "For the Culture."

Spectrum News 1 - 'Black Nativity' to highlight Milwaukee talent, puts twist on holiday play

If you're looking for a show to put you in the holiday spirit, a group of Milwaukee creatives is putting on "Black Nativity" by Langston Hughes.

The popular Christmas-themed theater production comes with a twist; it's based in Milwaukee, instead of Bethlehem. It also has all Milwaukee talent. It also features music, dance, and poetry from the African diaspora.

Director Dimonte Henning said the play uses present day life to inspire both young and old, he emphasized that it's important for different cultures to be represented and celebrated, especially during the holidays. Henning said this production is meant to give hope.

CBS58 - 'It's a message of hope': 'Black Nativity' returns to Marcus Center stage with new music

Even through their masks you can hear and feel the uplifting sounds of this years' Black Nativity cast.

Black Arts MKE's production of legendary playwright and poet Langston Hughes' 1961 stage play opens this week at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. The production runs Thursday through Sunday. 

Fox6 News Milwaukee - 'Black Nativity' returning to Milwaukee soon: 'Singing joy'

Between worldwide difficulties like the COVID-19 pandemic and local hardships like the Waukesha parade attack, Langston Hughes' "Black Nativity" soon returns to Milwaukee.

OnMilwaukee.com - "Black Nativity" returns with a new director and show

Black Arts MKE's show stopping musical will reopen for vaccinated and masked audiences after the long pandemic shutdown. "Black Nativity" by Langston Hughes runs one weekend only.

Black Nouveau Web Exclusive - Black Nativity by Langston Hughes 2021

Milwaukee Courier - ‘It’s so joyful’: Black Arts MKE Prepares to Debut Annual “Black Nativity” Production

This year’s theme is ‘for the culture,’ and audience members can expect to see Black cultural references in the choreography, the costumes and more.

UrbanMilwaukee.com – Milwaukee Performing Arts Organizations Require Proof of Vaccination or Negative COVID-19 Test for Audiences

Milwaukee’s performing arts organizations will require COVID-19 vaccinations or proof of negative test within 72 hours of events for all audience members 12 and up attending indoor performances beginning in September.

MKElifestyle Fine Arts Preview 2021-2022 - Amplifying Voices | Sheri Williams Pannell makes theatre about Black Milwaukee life.

“I see myself as a vessel for truth-telling,” says Sheri Williams Pannell. “I also see myself as an elder who must share knowledge so it’s carried on. “I’m in my 60s and I’m grateful to have reached this time of my life and still have the opportunity to contribute to the arts in our community. I hope that if I’m able to pass on some of what I’ve learned, it will help others go to the next level.”

WISN – Bronzeville Arts Ensemble Announces 2021 Milwaukee Black Theater Festival

BizJournals.com – Black Arts MKE selected for national strategy initiative, grant funding

Black Arts MKE, the Milwaukee nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing availability and quality of African American arts and culture, was awarded a grant from The Black Seed, a national strategic initiative focused on long-term impact of Black theater institutions...

UrbanMilwaukee.com – Black Arts MKE Selected for the Black Seed National Strategic Initiative to Support Equity for Black Theater Institutions

Black Arts MKE has been awarded a generous grant from The Black Seed, a national strategic initiative focused on creating impact and “thrivability” for Black theater institutions. Awarding close to 100 one- or two-year grants up to $150,000, this is the first iteration in a long-term strategy for The Black Seed...

Americantheatre.org – The Black Seed Unveils Generous Grant Program for Black Theatres. Nearly 100 Black theatres will receive 1- or t-year grants, ranging in sze from $10,000 to $150,000.

BROOKLYN: The Black Seed, a national strategic initiative focused on creating impact and “thrivability” for Black theatre institutions, has announced that close to 100 Black theatres across the country will receive one- or two-year grants ranging from $10,000 to $150,000. This is the first iteration in a long-term strategy for the company...

United Performing Arts Fund – A Stage For All Podcast (featuring Black Arts MKE, 5:32m) Episode 4: The Cultural Impact of the Arts

UPAF's "A Stage for All" podcast is an engaging exploration of the impact the arts have in our lives and communities. It includes interviews with those who bring the performing arts to local stages, classrooms, community centers and even hospitals. Learn how UPAF Member Groups positively affect Eastern Wisconsin, get to know the locals who bring color to our city and get the latest on the "State of the Arts."...

UrbanMilwaukee.com – UPAF Welcomes Black Arts MKE as Newest Member Group

The United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved Black Arts MKE as a Member Group, effective immediately. The organization joins 13 other premiere world class performing arts organizations as a UPAF Member Group.  Since its inception six years ago, Black Arts MKE had received annual grants through the UPAF Affiliate Program...