The Art of Revolution Spotlight: Nambi E. Kelley

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Now is a time for radical change. 
At Uprising Theater, we believe that art is a pillar of revolution. Inherently interactive, it forces society to engage with the perspectives of individual communities. From ten-story murals to fashion, to photography, to dance, art elevates the voice of the people. As a Palestinian American theater company, 
our mission has always been to amplify the voices of marginalized communities seeking social justice. As our society faces this exciting movement, we feel it imperative to play a role in passing the mic to Black voices.

 
 
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Meet the Artist

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Award-winning playwright and actress Nambi E. Kelley was chosen by literary legend Toni Morrison to adapt her novel Jazz for the stage (Marin Theatre Company, Baltimore Center Stage).

Nambi also penned an adaptation of Richard Wright’s Native Son that has been seen at theatres across the country, most notably at The Duke on 42nd Street (Off-Broadway Premiere, The Acting Company), Yale Repertory Theatre, and the Court Theatre in Chicago (world premiere), where it is the highest-grossing production in the theatre’s 60-year history.

Nambi has also written plays for Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Lincoln Center (Director’s Fest), and international venues. She is a former playwright-in-residence at the National Black Theatre in New York (I Am Soul residency) and the Goodman Theatre in Chicago (Playwrights Unit). She most recently served in residence at New Victory Theatre and as a Dramatists Guild Foundation Fellow.

Nambi has been recognized with several awards and nominations including the AUDELCO Award for “Best Production” for Native Son (Off-Broadway Premiere 2019), a Drama League nomination for “Best Revival” for the same production; the Prince Prize 2019; and a Dramatists Guild Foundation Writers Alliance Grant 2018-19.

Nambi has just completed work as a season three staff writer on Showtime’s The Chi, and her current commissions include a play based on the life of Stokely Carmichael (Prince Prize/Court Theatre) and one on African American icon Dr. Maya Angelou (North Carolina Black Repertory Theatre).

Nambi earned a BFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University and an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College. www.nambikelley.com.

 
 

The Art

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Commissioned work is not to be copied or reproduced under any conditions with out the express written permission of Nambi E. Kelley.

 

Written by Nambi E. Kelly

Black art now. 

Not Because. 

Black art not in relationship to white narrative 

Black art now. 

Because 

Black art for Black people 

About Black narratives 

By and for Black people 

Black art now because ancestors threw themselves overboard for it 

Escaped and ran for it 

Survived and thrived for it. 

Black art now because I get to stand in now and choose. 

Black art now because art now more than ever. 

Black art now because without 

The African Grove 

The Negro Ensemble Company 

The New Federal Theatre 

The New Lafayette 

The National Black Theater 

Ex-Bag 

Chicago Theatre Company 

The Black Ensemble 

MPAACT 

Without their rich histories 

Sacrifice 

Without the wear 

Tear 

Closed doors 

Scratching 

Clawing for pennies 

Without them there is no us. 

Without those who paved the way 

Kicked down doors 

Said what needed to be said 

Demanded that people listen. 

Without them there is no us.
I AM NOT NEW. 

I am not the first to put pen to paper and have something to say.
Not the first to want to share what it means to be female and Black.
Not the first to write a play and lick a stamp and print a script and drop a dream in the mailbox
Or email an inbox.
For someone to read and say, ah, here's our answer.
Not the first to want to elevate
To wish and hope and dream for team and us to overcome
To get up early mornings
Stay up late nights
Worried sick over how we will overcome
Not the first to be inspired by Black art warriors
Wilson
Jimmy Baldwin
'Zake Shange
Leroi Jones
Silas Jones
Suzan Lori before she got got
Chuck Smith
Ilesa Duncan
Elizabeth Van Dyke
Shepsu Aakuu 

I AM NOT NEW
Black Art now
BecauseBlackArtAlways
BecauseBlackArtForever

 
 

Connect & Discover

 
 
 

The Art of Revolution
Spotlight Series

#blackartmatters

 

This is only the beginning.

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The goal of The Art of Revolution Series is to commission at least ten Black female and non-binary artists to amplify their rich artistic contributions in the medium of their choosing.

Throughout July, we will be introducing you to the selected artists and showcasing their work. We encourage you to like, subscribe, follow and share their work.

Support Local Voices.

Your support enables us to continue our mission: using art to amplify the voices of marginalized groups. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our ongoing work. Any amount will make an impact. Donations can be made through our GoFundMe Charity Page or via PayPal. Please note/select #BlackArtMatters.