MY HARLEM 'TIS OF THEE
A THEATRICAL DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION
My Harlem Tis of Thee is a theatrical production that captures Harlem’s current transition – one of most historic transitions in the history of urban America. It tells a story of a changing world and a culturally rich community through storytelling, historical perspectives, and most of all, through the authentic voices of a vibrant and soulful village that inhabit this diverse neighborhood. Referred to as gentrification, it is a story of urban transformation that is happening world-wide. Yet, Harlem proudly boasts of a unique and unrivaled destination in the landscapes of America.
Considering Harlem’s significant artistic and intellectual contribution to the global community; the new sounds, music, dance, art, literature, and political thought that grew out of life in Harlem, storytelling is the most fitting and powerful tool used to capture Harlem’s ever-evolving timeline. Harlem’s legacy, from swing and bebop to rhythm and blues and hip; the words and ideals of James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston and W.E.B. Dubois, the colorful Marcus Garvey Parades, resonant beneath the current sounds and thoughts.
Our story will be enhanced by still and moving photographic imagery by such current celebrated notables as Hiram Maristany and Michael Palma. Audiences will experience what happens when people of different races, classes, and ethnic backgrounds abruptly find themselves living side by side as neighbors.
Considering Harlem’s significant artistic and intellectual contribution to the global community; the new sounds, music, dance, art, literature, and political thought that grew out of life in Harlem, storytelling is the most fitting and powerful tool used to capture Harlem’s ever-evolving timeline. Harlem’s legacy, from swing and bebop to rhythm and blues and hip; the words and ideals of James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston and W.E.B. Dubois, the colorful Marcus Garvey Parades, resonant beneath the current sounds and thoughts.
Our story will be enhanced by still and moving photographic imagery by such current celebrated notables as Hiram Maristany and Michael Palma. Audiences will experience what happens when people of different races, classes, and ethnic backgrounds abruptly find themselves living side by side as neighbors.
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PRODUCTION EXCERPT
The Gatekeeper is a spiritual character that guides us through the journey of My Harlem Tis of Thee. The Gatekeeper’s poetic voice extends lessons of history and humanity. This ageless interlocutor can be seen by the audience but cannot be seen by the other characters. The Gatekeeper seeps into the subconscious of the characters.
In this speech, through images and memories the Gatekeeper paints a picture of Harlem’s history:
"They call me Queen Mother Moore, Sister Rice, Abuela, Aishah, Mother Earth.
I am man, I am woman, I am spirit, I am real.
I am the gatekeeper; the history seeker.
I was there when the Dutch built slave ships at the northern tides.
Erected outposts and moved the Natives aside.
Was me that stood still and waited when the British arrived.
I paved the way for the mass migration,
From the Southern sharecroppers’ farm
Or a hangman’s noose.
I helped to keep time in the homecoming marches for the black troops.
I was the song in the choirs of Abyssinian,
Was the holy water where the lost souls were saved.
In this speech, through images and memories the Gatekeeper paints a picture of Harlem’s history:
"They call me Queen Mother Moore, Sister Rice, Abuela, Aishah, Mother Earth.
I am man, I am woman, I am spirit, I am real.
I am the gatekeeper; the history seeker.
I was there when the Dutch built slave ships at the northern tides.
Erected outposts and moved the Natives aside.
Was me that stood still and waited when the British arrived.
I paved the way for the mass migration,
From the Southern sharecroppers’ farm
Or a hangman’s noose.
I helped to keep time in the homecoming marches for the black troops.
I was the song in the choirs of Abyssinian,
Was the holy water where the lost souls were saved.
I wore the grandmaster hat in Marcus Garvey’s parades.
I appeared to Madame C. J. Walker and Zora Neale in their dreams;
Gave Adam Clayton Powell and Malcolm X their oratory means.
I am the heat in Hip Hop’s feet, the soul in James Brown’s beat.
I sparked the new polyrhythms and revolutionary sounds that echoed from the walls of the Cotton Club, Nick’s Pub, Savoy, Apollo’s backstage and Lenox Lounge - sounds of a history mourned.
From the boom in your boom box to the number one on your Spotify; I will find Harlem’s new sound crying to be born.
My blood lies beneath the prefab floorboards in the new bars and changing places.
You’ll find me in the pipelines of the real estate boom and economic races.
I am Harlem’s dream deferred and fulfilled.
A Dream Seeker
A Future Maker
Guardian of the annals of time - I am your Gatekeeper."
I appeared to Madame C. J. Walker and Zora Neale in their dreams;
Gave Adam Clayton Powell and Malcolm X their oratory means.
I am the heat in Hip Hop’s feet, the soul in James Brown’s beat.
I sparked the new polyrhythms and revolutionary sounds that echoed from the walls of the Cotton Club, Nick’s Pub, Savoy, Apollo’s backstage and Lenox Lounge - sounds of a history mourned.
From the boom in your boom box to the number one on your Spotify; I will find Harlem’s new sound crying to be born.
My blood lies beneath the prefab floorboards in the new bars and changing places.
You’ll find me in the pipelines of the real estate boom and economic races.
I am Harlem’s dream deferred and fulfilled.
A Dream Seeker
A Future Maker
Guardian of the annals of time - I am your Gatekeeper."
MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM
My Harlem ‘Tis of Thee is a project of Blackberry Productions Theater Company, a Harlem-based documentary theater company. The company joined forces with members of the Harlem Arts and Culture Initiative, a group of passionate artistic and cultural advocates who originally came together through their work on Community Board 9--a city agency that represents the people, businesses and artistic agencies that serve West Harlem.
Blackberry Productions reached out to creative artists in all genres to help develop the script, music, visuals, and movement.
The producing team includes Diane Wilson, Penny Maria Jackson, Michael Palma, John-Martin Green and Stephanie Berry.
The creative team includes Stephanie Berry, author; Jeffery V. Thompson, director; Nat Adderley Jr., musical composition, and direction; Dyane Harvey-Salaam, choreography; Hiram Maristany and Michael Palma, visual artists.
Blackberry Productions reached out to creative artists in all genres to help develop the script, music, visuals, and movement.
The producing team includes Diane Wilson, Penny Maria Jackson, Michael Palma, John-Martin Green and Stephanie Berry.
The creative team includes Stephanie Berry, author; Jeffery V. Thompson, director; Nat Adderley Jr., musical composition, and direction; Dyane Harvey-Salaam, choreography; Hiram Maristany and Michael Palma, visual artists.
SUPPORT
The development of My Harlem ‘Tis of Thee was supported by grants from West Harlem Development Corporation, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone.
Voza Rivers and the New Heritage Theatre Group and Greg Shanck, Managing Director for The City College Center for the Arts produced the Staged Concert Readings of My Harlem ‘Tis of Thee.
Voza Rivers and the New Heritage Theatre Group and Greg Shanck, Managing Director for The City College Center for the Arts produced the Staged Concert Readings of My Harlem ‘Tis of Thee.
PAST PERFORMANCES
PRODUCTION HISTORY
An Excerpt of My Harlem ‘Tis of Thee premiered during Harlem Week at a Jazz mobile Concert at Riverbank Park. It was co-produced by Harlem Week and Jazz Mobile.
A Concert Staged Reading and a Visual Exhibit on Harlem was presented at Aaron Davis Hall at City College, New York, produced by Greg Shanck for The City College Center for the Arts.
A Concert Staged Reading and Visual Exhibit on Harlem was presented for two performances at Harlem Hospital Auditorium. It was produced by Voza Rivers and The New Heritage Theatre Group.
A Concert Staged Reading and a Visual Exhibit on Harlem was presented at Aaron Davis Hall at City College, New York, produced by Greg Shanck for The City College Center for the Arts.
A Concert Staged Reading and Visual Exhibit on Harlem was presented for two performances at Harlem Hospital Auditorium. It was produced by Voza Rivers and The New Heritage Theatre Group.
SHARE YOUR HARLEM STORY
What would you like to see explored in future productions?
Join us as we chronicle and capture the story of Harlem from 1920 to current day.
We invite you to share your story, write a memory, recite an observation,
send a photo... help us compile an historical overview and give perspective to the folks
and the facades of this vast landscape that extends from 110-155th Streets, river to river.
Join us as we chronicle and capture the story of Harlem from 1920 to current day.
We invite you to share your story, write a memory, recite an observation,
send a photo... help us compile an historical overview and give perspective to the folks
and the facades of this vast landscape that extends from 110-155th Streets, river to river.
Contribute below or email us at blackberrytproductions@gmail.com.
Feel free to respond and add a photo that compliments your anecdote. Please note that a name
and email address will be required before you can post your comment below.
Feel free to respond and add a photo that compliments your anecdote. Please note that a name
and email address will be required before you can post your comment below.
Check back soon for updates.
Photos by Michael J. Palma | Adinkrahene graphic courtesy of adinkrasymbols.org