MY HARLEM 'TIS OF THEE
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."
THE CREATIVE TEAM
My Harlem ‘Tis of Thee is a collaborative venture led by Blackberry Productions Theater Company, in partnership with committed members of the Harlem Arts and Culture Initiative. Initially united through their involvement with Community Board 9, the project aims to honor Harlem's vibrant artistic legacy. Blackberry Productions enlisted a diverse array of creative talents spanning various disciplines to shape every facet of the project, from scriptwriting to music composition, visual design, and choreography.
The producing team includes Diane Wilson, Penny Maria Jackson, Michael Palma, John-Martin Green, and Stephanie Berry, while the creative ensemble features Stephanie Berry as the author, Jeffery V. Thompson as the director, Nat Adderley Jr. overseeing musical composition and direction, Dyane Harvey-Salaam orchestrating choreography, and Hiram Maristany and Michael Palma contributing as visual artists.
The producing team includes Diane Wilson, Penny Maria Jackson, Michael Palma, John-Martin Green, and Stephanie Berry, while the creative ensemble features Stephanie Berry as the author, Jeffery V. Thompson as the director, Nat Adderley Jr. overseeing musical composition and direction, Dyane Harvey-Salaam orchestrating choreography, and Hiram Maristany and Michael Palma contributing as visual artists.
SUPPORT
My Harlem ‘Tis of Thee received vital backing from grants provided by the West Harlem Development Corporation, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone. The staged concert readings of My Harlem ‘Tis of Thee were masterfully produced by Voza Rivers of the New Heritage Theatre Group, alongside Greg Shanck, Managing Director for The City College Center for the Arts.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
Photos by Michael J. Palma | Adinkrahene graphic courtesy of adinkrasymbols.org
- 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.