Memphis Black Arts Alliance

YOUTH AUDITIONS for Broadway Musical

2012-02-21T17:10:00.007-08:00

WANTED TALENTED YOUTH 10-18

ARTS-A-F!RE YOUTH THEATER TROUPE

AUDITIONS for

“The ME Nobody Knows” - A Broadway Musical

Feb 25 & March 3

11 am—2 pm at The FireHouse Community Arts Center

Directed By Naomi Williams Moody

Performance Dates -- May 11-1, 2012 at The Evergreen Theater

The Memphis Black Arts Alliance will hold auditions this weekend and next weekend – February 25 and March 3 for youth ages 10-18 to appear in its annual presentation of the Broadway muscial “THE ME NOBODY KNOWS." Auditions will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25th and March 3rd, 11am to 2pm at the FireHouse Community Arts Center, 985 South Bellevue. For more information, call 901-948-9522 or send an email to info@memphisblackartsalliance.org.

"THE ME NOBODY KNOWS," a musical based on the poems and stories of inner-city school students, the play expresses the pain and joys of growing up. Through drama, song and dance, the play tells how the youth feel about their neighborhoods, family, school and more. Yet, at its height, “The Me Nobody Knows” is about understanding, compassion, and an unsentimental determination for hope.

Those auditioning must prepare a short song to sing. A gospel song or show tune is preferred. Reading material will be provided. Be prepared to move.

Act Up & Get Down! Spring Break Camp

2012-02-21T16:25:00.003-08:00

REGISTER NOW

Memphis Black Arts Alliance Offers Theater-Dance-Art for Youth 9 -14

March 12 – 16, 2012

Youth, ages 9-14, ll spend the Memphis City Schools Spring Break, March 12-16, at the FireHouse Community Arts Center acting up through theater games and getting down with dance, drawing, painting, crafts, gardening and exploring family and African American history. Coordinated by Carl Slappy, FireHouse faculty participating include: LaVita Brooks, a veteran of stage & film will lead the theater and filmmaking classes; Kellye Crawford, Jazz/Hip Hop dance instructor; and Sah Ankh Sa, African dance instructor. Naomi Williams Moody, a vocalist-actress and Arts-A-F!RE Youth Theater Troupe artistic director along with musician Kent Suggs, AAFYTT musical director will lead campers in the development of their musical skills. The last day of the camp, participants will attend the Southwest Tennessee Community College's production of "Knee Deep Blues," a play written by Quincy McKay and Jarron Robinson.

The cost of the Spring Break Camp is $80, extended care before and after camp is available for $25. For more information and to register and enroll, visit the FireHouse Community Arts Center at 985 South Bellevue, call 948-9522 or pay online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/229350, or e-mail arts.a.fire.camps@gmail.com.

MBAA article in the Memphis Downtowner Magazine

2011-10-03T05:37:00.001-07:00

Young people are setting fires all over Memphis. They meet Downtown at 985 S. Bellevue and encourage other Memphis youths to join them. But these fires are flames of burning passion for theater, dance, and the arts, and in 29 years, no one has gotten burned. The Memphis Black Arts Alliance and its director, Bennie Nelson West, are dedicated to fueling this creativity from within Firehouse No. 12.

After attending Tuskegee and Columbia universities, lobbying in New Jersey, and immersing herself in New York City’s art scene, West returned to Memphis in 1978 with a new perspective on the power of unified black artists. The Orange Mound native had taken dance classes, consulted for the National Black Theater Alliance, and knew actors Ruby Dee and Ozzie Davis.

Click Here to read the full article in the Memphis Downtowner Magazine (page 8)