black picture show by bill gunn

June 13, 2021, 8pm

Written by Bill Gunn
Directed by Awoye Timpo

Presented in collaboration with Bell Pattern Productions, F.A.M. Creative and CLASSIX as part of Artists Space comprehensive gallery exhibition entitled Till They Listen: Bill Gunn Directs America.

Artists Space presented a virtual exploration of Bill Gunn's classic play Black Picture Show (1975). In preparation for this staged reading, Timpo brought together a company of actors to read, think, and talk through this pivotal theatrical work which was then filmed throughout Artists Space. Black Picture Show is a son’s elegy for his father, a poetic and tragic work about a promising Black poet-playwright who compromises his intellectual integrity for the financial rewards and glamour of Hollywood.

Following the premiere of the play, Nicholas Forster and Oz Scott joined Awoye Timpo for a Q&A.

Cast and Creative Team
JD/Alexander: André Holland
JD/Alexander: Jason Bowen
Norman: Korey Jackson
Lily/Rita: Brittany Bradford
Philippe: Lee Aaron Rosen
Jane: Leslie Fray
Stage Directions: Jasmin Walker

Director: Awoye Timpo
Production Designer: Jason Ardizzone-West
Director of Photography: Omega Davis
Costume Designer: Qween Jean
Composer: Alphonso Horne
Dramaturg: Arminda Thomas and Nicholas Forster

Event and Info

Articles

“Black Picture Show in Context” by Soyica Colbert

“The Life of an Artist Is Not for the Pusillanimous” by Toussaint Jeanlouis