We're continuing our Black History Month Celebrations!
JOIN US LIVE ON ZOOM!
FSWW, in partnership with Zoomcatchers and The Billie Holiday Theatre, is pleased to present Ptomaine Poison by Dr. Janice Liddell and directed by Byron C. Saunders. The reading is produced by Kimberly Gunn and Garland Thompson Jr.
Synopsis:
A timely exploration of race and racial interactions in the south. Set in Greater Birmingham, Alabama in 2013, Marianne Williams and Mary-Lou LeBlanc, each have histories, though very divergent histories, in the Birmingham Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.
Their 14 year old daughters, Nzinga Williams and Collette LeBlanc, are collaborating on a school project to commemorate one of the most significant events of the Civil Rights movement, the 50th anniversary of the 1963 Birmingham church bombing that killed four Black girls and injured 22 others.
As White and African American natives of Birmingham respectively, they continue to reflect clear racial perspectives and even now clash over racial issues as they meet for the first time. How will each family handle this collaboration?
Join us live and find out!
There will be a moderated critique session immediately following this reading where you can offer direct feedback to the playwright.
About the Playwright:
Dr. Janice Liddell, Professor Emerita, retired from Clark Atlanta University after serving for over thirty five years in several capacities, including Professor of English, Chair of the Department of English and Director of Faculty Development.
In 2021, her play, Who Will Sing for Lena, represented the United States in the international community theatre festival, Mondial du Theatre in Monaco. That same year, Liddell was also commissioned to write a play by the city of Sparta, Georgia on one of their historical figures, Amanda America Dickson, the enslaved daughter born to an enslaved 12 year old girl and her 40 year old white slave owner.
In 2024, Dr. Liddell produced a collection of three one-act plays, Elders Igniting: Many More Stories to Tell, written by three senior Atlanta playwrights, of which she was one. This production focused on experiences of a Black eldering population and their engaging concerns. Following this production, she designed and taught a playwriting course for seniors.
Liddell, who wrote her first play when she was fifty years old, is a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and resides in Atlanta GA..
Watch our virtual production of Elders Igniting: Many More Stories to Tell here.
Check out the full FSWW play reading series here:
FSWW's new online workshops are off to a great start!
FSWW's new online workshops are suitable for everyone from aspiring actors to seasoned performers, directors, playwrights, and theatre lovers excited by opportunities to learn more about the craft of theatre.
These weekly live cohort classes offer a chance to let your creativity flourish in a welcoming and dynamic online environment. They're also great for people who want to enhance their online presence in the digital marketplace!
Join award-winning actor Alison Mills Newman in a 5-week live online master class that blends heart, soul, and body to create authentic performances. Inspired by her work with our namesake Frank Silvera and his Theatre of Being, this course is perfect for actors at all levels who want to master their craft.
Highlights:
• Discover your unique voice as an actor.
• Develop emotional and physical tools to embody characters.
• Culminate in a live performance showcasing your growth.
Dates: February 25 - March 15, 2025
Times: 3-5 PM EST/ 2-4 PM CST/ 12-2 PM PST
Delve into the essentials of great playwriting with Professor Emerita Vera J. Katz in this 6-week live online class. Learn to analyze and elevate storytelling through Aristotle’s principles and modern dramaturgy.
Highlights:
• Unpack the core elements of a great play.
• Break down structure, character, and theme.
• End with a staged reading and professional critique.
Dates: February 8 - March 15, 2025
Times: 3-5:30 PM EST/ 2-4:30 PM CST/ 12-2:30 PM PST
Stay tuned for more to come in 2025!
PEACE!
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