The Stella Adler Center for the Arts is presenting a series of diverse cultural programming this fall:
September 11th & 18th, 2023:
S.O.S. Calling All Black People: the Black Arts Movement
a two-part lecture with Sonia Sanchez and James Edward Smethurst
From Artistic Director Tom Oppenheim: This two-part lecture with Sonia Sanchez and James Smethurst about the Black Arts Movement is based on the book they co-edited along with the late great John H. Bracy entitled SOS-Calling All Black People: A Black Arts Movement Reader. This book has played a major role in the life and evolution of the Studio. It inspired what was originally going to be an August Wilson Summer Intensive to become the Black Arts Institute, offered in partnership with the Billie Holiday Theater since 2018.
Via Zoom | Free and Open to the Public
Learn More & Register
September 15th-30th, 2023:
HCLAB presents The Cherry Orchard
by Anton Chekhov | Translation by Paul Schmidt
Directed by Tom Oppenheim
Featuring: Raz Ayer*, Mary Cavett*, Ryan Chittaphong*, Trey Cruz, Michael Grenham, Annie Hartkemeyer*, Ian Hersey*, Nuha Jes, Christa Kimlicko Jones*, Steve Maurice Jones*, Pete McElligott, Alex Purcell*, Danielle Kendler-Rhodes, J. Steven White
* Appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association
When Liubov returns to her country estate, she finds old friends and the comfort of familiarity but also old wounds. As she struggles to understand the impending loss of the estate and make sense of the broken lines in her life story, some of those around her are finding ways not only to move on, but to thrive. The Cherry Orchard asks universal questions about the human experience. Can we ever go back to the past? How can we move forward when we feel broken? What is it that propels us toward progress even against all odds?
Tickets $25-$45 with pay-what-you-can tix at the door
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September 19th, 2023:
The David Oppenheim Music Center presents: Fred Johnson, vocals and percussion
Hasan Bakr, percussion | Victor See Yuen, percussion
Frederick Johnson is an international performer who has spent the past 35 years presenting concerts and seminars on the power of creative expression as a tool for personal well-being and healing. He is an accomplished vocalist and percussionist and is recognized internationally as one of the world’s greatest vocal jazz improvisers. He has also been honored as one of the world’s most passionate and versed chanters of sacred text. Frederick has been involved in the development of global programs in America, Europe and the Middle East, bringing people together from diverse spiritual and cultural backgrounds to create artistic forums for learning, sharing, reconciliation, vision and hope.
7:00 pm at the Center | Free and Open to the Public
October 2nd, 2023:
The Arts Justice Division presents a conversation on Rikers: An Oral History
with authors Reuven Blau and Graham A. Rayman
and participating artists LaTanya Jones, Lisette Bamanga, Joanne Edelmann and Suzy PetchEam
Graham Rayman is a journalist who writes mainly about criminal justice and policing. He has won multiple journalism prizes over his thirty-year career. He has worked at The New York Daily News and before that The Village Voice, Newsday, and New York Newsday. He is the author of The NYPD Tapes.
Reuven Blau is a senior reporter at The City. He has previously worked at the New York Daily News, the New York Post, and the Chief-Leader. He is known as the dean of Rikers reporters.
7pm at the Center | Free and Open to the Public
