Black Poetry Theatre
Sunday 
September 
23
 at 
3:00pm

Black Poetry Theatre seeks to expand the understanding of spoken word and foster greater appreciation for the power of contemporary poetry by presenting it in traditional theatrical settings, raising cultural awareness through the use of the performing arts and telling necessary stories from within our communities.

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Black

Poetry

Theatre

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ADVANCE TICKETS
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Our Mission

Black Poetry Theatre seeks to expand the understanding of spoken word and foster greater appreciation for the power of contemporary poetry by presenting it in traditional theatrical settings, raising cultural awareness through the use of the performing arts and telling necessary stories from within our communities.

About Black Poetry Theatre

Black Poetry Theatre (BPT) was the brainstorm of poet, spoken word artist, host, and playwright Joseph “Church da Poet” Churchwell. In the summer of 2007, Joseph was commissioned by Alternative Perspective Theatre (APET) and its founder Leigh Holmes to craft a poetic theatrical production for the MUSE Festival at Manbites Dog Theater. In conjunction with selected poets from the community he created the production Black Poetry. Black Poetry debuted at Manbites Dog Theater (Durham, NC) in August of 2007. The production was a success and an opportunity was soon discovered. Soon after Black Poetry’s debut there were requests for more showings of the play and questions about new productions. Inspired by the response, Joseph envisioned creating a theater group that would focus on creating productions using poetry and spoken word. With the help of poet, spoken word artist, recording artist and playwright Dasan Ahanu, an original cast member of Black Poetry, Joseph co-founded Black Poetry Theatre as a vehicle to bring original poetic productions to the theater.


In addition to its premier production Black Poetry, BPT has also created and presented H.E.R.S.tory of Love: a Stronger Daye in 2007. The production was presented in collaboration with Monica Daye as an outreach and awareness initiative on issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. in 2008 BPT debuted Definition of a Hero. This was a production presented that examined our ideas of heroes and how they show up in our lives. BPT was commissioned to produce and co-direct The Spectrum in April of 2009 at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Written by Kane Smego, the play was a part of an outreach initiative by the Criminal Justice Action and Awareness Committee. In 2010 BPT introduced three new productions, Epic of Eve, Confessions of a Lounge Singer and HERStory through HIS Eyes. In 2012 BPT presented H.I.S. Thoughts, a tribute to the writing of poet, Keenan Gorham. Centered on explorations of love, the production highlighted Keenan’s poetry interwoven with a soulful soundtrack. Also in 2012 BPT produced Verbal Portraits of She, a celebration of womanhood, by Nicki Knardirell. In 2018 BPT introduced two new productions as part of their new residency with the Hayti Heritage Center, an African American cultural center in Durham, NC run by the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation. Inside Studio Real was a experimental production envisioned and written by Dasan Ahanu. Presented as a choreopoetic sitcom, the production used poetry and humor to bring the story to life. Then as part of a special collaboration with the Artscenter in Carrboro, NC, BPT produced Tend to Your Own House written by Dasan Ahanu, Lee Chapman, Keisha Lambert, and Nakita Jay. This production reimagined classic theatre pieces and placed them in modern context. Sticking to its mission and dedicated to providing opportunities for artists in the community, BPT continues to bring original productions to the stage as a resident theatre company at the historic Hayti Heritage Center,

Upcoming Productions @ Hayti

Stay updated on our upcoming productions this season!

Black Poetry Theatre Presents...
HIS Thoughts: The Brilliance of Keenan Gorham

A poetic exploration of LOVE

 
Friday March 6th at 8:00pm & Saturday March 7th at 7:30pm


Hayti Heritage Center

804 Old Fayetteville St, Durham, NC 27701

 
$15 in advance for tickets and $20 at the door

Buy advance tickets at www.hayti.org or www.blackpoetrytheatre.com

 
About the show:

This production tells a story of relationships, hope and triumph. It dissects love and reminds us how powerful and necessary it is. Woven together with a soulful soundtrack, this presentation will leave you uplifted, encouraged and inspired. Joins us on a a romantic journey.


On Thursday April 19, 2012 we lost one of our most beloved wordsmiths. He was a visionary, a bright soul, and an amazing poet. With this production we celebrate the amazing talent of Keenan Gorham with a script built completely from Keenan's poems.

 
Keenan Gorham had been writing poetry for years. He started with traditional form, as he was an avid lover of poetry collections from such authors as Dickinson, Whitman, Hughes, Frost, Angelou, Hammon, Sanchez, Poe, Dunbar, Cullen, Brooks, Tate and Giovanni. He soon started incorporating various other writing styles into his works. He became familiar with spoken word and poetry slam and the distinctive and animated nature of both. Being introduced to this type of expression and its poets, he fell in love with it and began to look at other ways to bring his words to life. He touched many with his crafty word play, emotional depth, command of vocabulary, and universal themes. His work will be forever remembered.

 
About the company:
Black Poetry Theatre seeks to expand the understanding of spoken word and foster greater appreciation for the power of contemporary poetry by presenting it in traditional theatrical settings, raising cultural awareness through the use of the performing arts and telling necessary stories from within our communities.


For more info contact: blackpoetrytheatre@gmail.com or 980-552-0107

 
Presented in conjunction with the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation/Hayti Heritage Center (www.hayti.org)

Love Letters to my Child…A Black Poetry Theatre Production

 

Black Poetry Theatre is looking for poets, singers, and performing artists to submit pieces talking to, with, or praying for the children of our present and our future. This can be a poem, personal letter/statement or just a wish for the children in our families and communities. Our aim is to share the different stories, ideas and hopes that we have in our hearts for our children. We also want to reflect the various ways we prepare them for the world around them.

 

Once collected, the selected pieces will be incorporated into a BPT production showing January 10th and 11th, 2020 at the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham. The combination of music, rhythm, words, and expression will create a moment that will inspire for generations to come. We would love for you to help us in crafting a powerful production for our audience.

 

Submissions can be sent to blackpoetrytheatre@gmail.com. In the subject line of your email put “BPT Love Letters submission”. Please put your name, email, and phone number in your email. You can submit up to two pieces.

 

Once again, submissions can be letters, poems, or statements of hope and affirmation. We are accepting submissions until November 15, 2019. Notifications of the pieces selected will be sent the week of December 1, 2019.

 

*Submissions will not be used without permission of the author.

Text Block #5

Black Poetry Theatre invites you to a special event for the book release of one of it's cast members!

City Soul Exclusive & Evolution Camp

PRESENTS
"Soul Fusion" Book Release for Sh8kes

 

 EARLY BIRD TICKETS BELOW


$15 Adv Tickets online only (CLICK LINK)

 

City Soul Exclusive is at it again. This time we are bringing you some of the best talent in the RDU area.

We plan to FUSE SOUL with some R&B, and mix it with the artistic eloquence of City Soul Poets. Interject a Book Release and add on one of North Carolina's best Dj's, 2 Featured performers and you get "SOUL FUSION"

 

March 29th, 2019

 
Carmen's Cuban Cafe
108 Factory Shops Rd.
Morrisville, NC 27560

Doors Open @ 9:30pm | Show Starts @10:00pm
Dining Room Closes at 11pm

 

Guest Performers:

Eboni Dean – Poet

Featured Poet and Book release for “Sh8kes”

Featured Artist:

Vocalist and Radio Personality "Janelle Symone"

Hosted by the Dynamic Duo "Chris & Jay"


$15 Adv Tickets online only (CLICK LINK)


$20@The Door

Purchase a Signed Copy of
"It's Personal written by Dion " Sh8kes" Williamson
$30 for book and entry (CLICK THE HERE)


 

$150 VIP PACKAGE INCLUDES:
Entrance for 4 people
Reserved VIP Seating Area
4 Drink Tickets (Nightly Drink Special Only, Tip Not Included)

(ONLY 4 AVAILABLE)

 

$75 VIP PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Entrance for 2 people

Reserved VIP Seating Area

(ONLY 6 AVAILABLE)

(Packages available until March 28th)

 

An Evening of Inspiring and Conscious Words | Powerful vocals | Live Music 

The best NIGHT OUT in the Triangle

 

****ALL TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE****

For more information and to purchase a VIP Package call:
Church Da'Poet 919-729-9939 or email citysoulcafeopenmic@gmail.com

#blackpoetrytheatre

Hosted by Your Company

See you at the show!


#bptnightout

It's the Day of the Show!

Tickets for TODAY's show are available at the Door!

Black Poetry Theatre seeks to expand the understanding of spoken word and foster greater appreciation for the power of contemporary poetry by presenting it in traditional theatrical settings, raising cultural awareness through the use of the performing arts and telling necessary stories from within our communities.

Tickets go on sale 1/19/19!

Starting your own business and picking the right niche in no time

Black Poetry Theatre seeks to expand the understanding of spoken word and foster greater appreciation for the power of contemporary poetry by presenting it in traditional theatrical settings, raising cultural awareness through the use of the performing arts and telling necessary stories from within our communities.

Tickets | Passes | Donations

Advance Tickets





Make a donation to BPT. (Donations can be tax deductible upon request)

 

 

Black Poetry Theatre ’19-’20 SEASON


REALITY CHECK IN | 10/11/19 – 8pm | 10/12/19 – 7:30pm


LOVE LETTERS TO MY CHILD | 1/10/20 – 8pm | 1/11/20 – 7:30pm


HIS THOUGHTS | 3/6/20 – 8pm | 3/7/20 – 7:30pm


BEDTIME STORIES | 5/8/20 – 8pm | 5/9/20 – 7:30pm

Flip The Script: A Play In Progress 

September 
23rd
 at 
3:00pm

December 6th at 7:00pm

@ The Artscenter

300-G E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!

 

Presented by Black Poetry Theatre, “Flip the Script: A Play in Progress” is a works-in-progress series where classic works are reworked/remixed into new pieces, integrating poetry/spoken word and music. Led by Dasan Ahanu, a group of selected community artists will work together to shape each piece of the production. Readings of these reworked pieces will be presented followed by a talk-back, offering an opportunity for community feedback. The series will culminate with a full production built from those pieces blended into one world and one storyline. 

Advance Tickets
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Stay Informed!

We want to make sure you don't miss any information about upcoming shows, special deals, giveaways, or special performances by our founder or cast members. Sign up for our mailing list below to stay connected. 

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“I ain’t never found no place for me to fit. Seem like all I do is start over. It ain’t nothing to find no starting place in the world. You just start from where you find yourself.” 

― August Wilson, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

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