We need your support. Help us hit our goal! https://bit.ly/otf-fund23 The Obsidian Theatre Festival (OTF) launched back in March 2021 as a platform for emerging Black voices in theatre and film – but, the idea for OTF started that previous summer, June of 2020. Since that first season in 2021, OTF has created a space for Black artists in the city of Detroit, and across the country. Based in Detroit, a cradle of Artistic creativity, Obsidian builds an innovative space – one that allows for audiences and artists alike to celebrate the diversity of Blackness. Over the course of one weekend, we present original plays, musicals, cabaret performances, and panel discussions. All of this is done at no cost to the artists or audience. But free to the community, isn’t cheap for us. We are so close to our goal, and this last $25k is vital to making sure we can produce our 3rd Annual season. Thank you for helping us bring Black Stories to this New Stage. https://bit.ly/otf-fund23

Check out members of the Obsidian Theatre Festival Exec Staff announce the 3rd Annual Obsidian Theatre Festival, June 22 - 25. Tickets on Sale Now! www.obsidianfest.org

Follow 2022 Kresge Artist Fellow De'Sean Jones as he leads the Urban Art Orchcestra to the final performance of their inaugural season.

A Ghostlight Productions film in collaboration with Ann Eskridge. Series produced by Donald Harrison and Kresge Arts in Detroit. Ann Eskridge’s passion for African American history explores, through fiction, playwriting, and screenwriting, the Underground Railroad; all-Black towns in Oklahoma; and the Pekin Theater, the first Black musical theater. Eskridge was a broadcast journalist before becoming a freelance writer and teacher. She has dabbled in politics, working for a Republican lieutenant governor and a Democratic Detroit city council president. She also helped develop the mass media program at Golightly Career and Technical Center, and worked as a speechwriter. Throughout all these career moves, she wrote. For more: kresgeartsindetroit.org/portfolio-posts/ann-eskridge

Join us for the 2nd Annual Obsidian Theatre Festival Our 4 Playwright Finalists are: Shawntai Brown and “We Own Everything”: Three cousins decide over a game of pool who has rights their late uncle's car and who has rights to the city of Detroit. Brandy Victoria Durham and “Wild Horses”: Two unsuspecting campers discover they are being hunted by a dangerous island predator. A bear? A snake? Worse, a "Karen." Mykai Eastman and “Miss Education”: The life you want is not always the life you need. Marshall Schaffer and “A Rodeo Clown”: An African American rodeo clown finds himself caught in the torrent of the entertainment business where his life is always on the line. Our 4 Playwright Finalists are: Shawntai Brown and “We Own Everything”: Three cousins decide over a game of pool who has rights their late uncle's car and who has rights to the city of Detroit. Brandy Victoria Durham and “Wild Horses”: Two unsuspecting campers discover they are being hunted by a dangerous island predator. A bear? A snake? Worse, a "Karen." Mykai Eastman and “Miss Education”: The life you want is not always the life you need. Marshall Schaffer and “A Rodeo Clown”: An African American rodeo clown finds himself caught in the torrent of the entertainment business where his life is always on the line. Each play will be performed at The Boll Theatre in Downtown Detroit. Our 2 Musical Theatre Finalists are: Ann Eskridge and Alton James with “The Chicken Never Crossed”: Through urban renewal, Hastings street in Detroit will make way for a highway. One business is hoping that they don’t get a notice to move. Lyricist and Composer, Jerome Parker with “Frieda, or The Red, Blue or Black” : FREIDA or THE RED, BLUE and BLACK, follows Freida as she matures and seeks revenge on the officer who murdered her father. MT performances will be at the Detroit Opera House. Our 2 Cabarets, featuring Lulu Fall and Ben Will will take place at the Aretha Jazz Cafe at the Music Hall. #OTF22 #obsidianfest www.obsidianfest.org

Dance Foundations: Building Technique At the Barre This course is designed for beginner and intermediate/advanced dancers to begin or enhance their core ballet technique. Instructor Kyle DuPree (Cinderella, Birmingham, AL) focuses on the building blocks of ballet through daily warm ups, barre exercises, and floor routines. At the end of the class, students will perform a dance combination from a Broadway musical to culminate their learning. www.obsidianfest.org/education

Help us bring Black stories to our stage in 2023! 👏🏿 Donate here: https://bit.ly/glaigive 👏🏿 Obsidian Theatre Festival provides an opportunity for Black actors, writers, musicians, and dancers to capture the richness of Black stories, moving beyond stereotypes and celebrating our diversity. Telling OUR stories in OUR voice matters. #fortheculture Visit our website: https://www.obsidianfest.org

Take a moment with instructor Kyle DuPree, as the GhostLight Arts Initiative sponsors the educational programming during the 2nd Annual Obsidian Theatre Festival. Follow the journey of a professional dancer as he discusses his process, technique, challenges, and successes. www.obsidianfest.org/education

Dance Foundations: Building Technique At the Barre This course is designed for beginner and intermediate/advanced dancers to begin or enhance their core ballet technique. Instructor Kyle DuPree (Cinderella, Birmingham, AL) focuses on the building blocks of ballet through daily warm ups, barre exercises, and floor routines. At the end of the class, students will perform a dance combination from a Broadway musical to culminate their learning. www.obsidianfest.org/education