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Nappy Headed Love Stories

One month of theater, showcasing performance's of Black Love & Intimacy in the, tales of African- American Women (1865-1936)

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Nappy Headed Love Stories

Nappy Headed Love Stories

Nappy Headed Love Stories

Nappy Headed Love Stories

Nappy Headed Love Stories

One month of theater, showcasing performance's of Black Love & Intimacy in the, tales of African- American Women (1865-1936)

One month of theater, showcasing performance's of Black Love & Intimacy in the, tales of African- American Women (1865-1936)

One month of theater, showcasing performance's of Black Love & Intimacy in the, tales of African- American Women (1865-1936)

One month of theater, showcasing performance's of Black Love & Intimacy in the, tales of African- American Women (1865-1936)

Jovelyn Richards
Jovelyn Richards
Jovelyn Richards
Jovelyn Richards
1 Campaign |
Oakland, United States
$1,310 USD 28 backers
13% of $10,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

 

Nappy Headed Love Stories

Theatrical storytelling through multiple characters, narrated by solo performance artist Jovelyn Richards along with an orchestral of  Jazz and Blues.    We are bringing you, the unique voices of  African-American women and children in American history, 1865-1936.  With the backdrop of enslavement, and the aftermath of war, is  the emergence of love and intimacy defined by three generations of women.  This theater work takes us on a quest of Enviorment vs. Nurturing. The passion of this work is brought to you, by myself the writer/performer with Dr. Stephanie Anne Johnson, Lighting Designer and Artistic Collaborator, PhD in Black Art, and Policy.
 
 
 The  stories are written and performed for us to re-experience history through the psyche of Black female characters, whose lives have provided complexity and balance to the American history. My purpose as the writer is to offer love, and position it at the center of all human challenges.  The stories are inclusive, and they connect our compassion with our humanity.
 
 
  In the first story of the Nappy Series we meet 'Maw Maw' a woman born into slavery.  We both witness and experience her internal world of memory and spirits. This dramatic story  begins when the mistress of the plantation tells Maw Maw she is freed.  The mistress then commits suicide in front of Maw Maw. What does it mean if the mistress of the plantation kills herself in this new defining of the south?  In this dramatic theatrical work we witness, Maw Maw’s life unfold as she ponders freedom.  This narration of the first 3 days of "Freedom" for Maw Maw offers up the question  hundreds of years later what can we learn about freedom and love, from a woman who has only known bondage?

In the next Nappy Series,  the story of Maw Maw’s, daughter, 'Sweet Baby' unfolds.  As part of the first generation to grow up “Free,”  Sweet Baby travels down the back roads of Mississippi, where she learns to talk and walk in the notes of the  blues, while still in the care and shadow of Maw Maw’s history of enslavement and the new forms of racial and financial relationships of the south. This theater performance is truly an examination of nature vs. nurture.

In the final production  of the Nappy Series, audiencea enter into the tiny one room church basement used for a school house and meet Sweet Baby's child, born and schooled in segregated south, Dianne Edwards. We are carried on a journey of resilience and belief, as we watch this Negro girl child, educated to become a doctor. The questions are complex as she explores “What does it mean to be a woman,a Negro and a doctor”?

We witness how these ponderings land Dr. Dianne Edwards  in a strip tease club for the remainder of her life.

 

Along with solo performance artist Jovelyn Richards,  who plays characters ranging from 6 mos.-104 years of age, is a cast of musicians playing original music based in the genre of Jazz & Blues, every note and beat becoming the voice of the ancestors.

If you can join us, during our run  as each character takes the stage to share her story. Our goal is to raise money to have the shows run for 3 weekends.-each night featuring a different character.

If you cannot join us in person, your spirit and generous support of the Nappy Headed Stories project is much appreciated. The shows will take place in the East Bay and the African-American Culture Center.  The location depends on the funding.

Dates & Times TBA, as venues are secured, so let's get the contributions going!  Think of it as a rent party for the theater.

 




When you contribute, you are supporting the work of women artists and supporting the voices of Black women and children in history. By donating, you are contributing to a modern day renaissance. It takes the commitment of artists, advocates, and ordinary folks to keep art alive!  Why, because

History does not record the sleepless nights of women and children! We must!


 


 

What We Need & What You Get

Items on Budget Page:
Your Gifts Will Support:Theater Rental for 1 month of shows,productions cost (artist fees, publicity, sets, props, costumes, rehearsal space, performance spac, video and audio documentation)


What Perks do you get?
 

Generous shout out your support  on our Nappy Headed Love Story Page and Facebook
CD of original music
DVD of the performance’s
2 Opening night tickets,

Gold package, 2 (6 total)tickets for each 3 night performance
OMG! 3 private solo performance and creative writing sessions, lead by, Jovelyn Richards, video of your work included.
You’re Kidding? Package, I will come and perform for an event/host for you, held in Northern California,    (6 month expiration date)

The Impact

I have worked for many years in challenged communities to bring heart inspired stories of women and children,  to the foreground of American consciousness. I am committed to revealing historical and contemporary stories that have been made invisible until now.  When yo support this work it gives voice to, past and present voices rendered silent and opens possible the future for those that will come after us.

I am committed to having art as a way to advocate for the evolution of our humanity, searching out the We, narrative, in our stories, while balancing the feminine energy that exist in all of us. In my commitment I traveled abroad to Budapest, Hungary, without knowing anyone or the language and lived for several months to work organically with the Hungarians on our collective stories, and performed to standing room only.

 

Other Ways You Can Help
 

    * Spread the word, use your creative social network.
   

 

 

 

Other Ways You Can Help

 

Be creative in how to  get the word out and let folks know about this exciting event.

And remember we are in a collaborative global community  now, let's play.

 That’s all there is to it.

Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
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Choose your Perk

Good Job!

$30 USD
A Good Job! shout on our Face Book page
0 out of 10 of claimed

You're listed in the program!

$50 USD
You get a chance to be acknowledged on are Face Book and on the show programs, under people that support the Nappy Headed Love Stories.
3 out of 20 of claimed

All of that...

$300 USD
2 Tickets to one of the shows One of the producers of that show DVD copy of show
0 out of 10 of claimed

Performance Workshops

$500 USD
I will teach a series of 5 private solo performances/writing workshop, and include a DVD of your final work of the workshop.
Estimated Shipping
April 2013
0 out of 10 of claimed

One Night Only

$1,500 USD
If you have a venue (living room will do) Jovelyn will come to your city, and perform your choice of one of the characters, Maw, Sweet Baby, or Dianne Edwards. You are also named as Producer, get a DVD copy of the show, and your name in the program. Dates negotiable.
Estimated Shipping
July 2013
0 out of 3 of claimed

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