Category Archives: Theater

Theatre Review: Fences by August Wilson (Metro)

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Fences starring The Lower Bottom Playaz. Oakland CA. October 2013. http://www.lowerbottomplayaz.com http://www.TalesofIronandWater.com

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As Promised: My Final English Paper

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Fences starring The Lower Bottom Playaz. Oakland CA. October 2013. http://www.lowerbottomplayaz.com http://www.TalesofIronandWater.com

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The Importance of August Wilson to American Theater

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

August Wilson is a playwright. In my opinion he is the most important American playwright of the 20th century.  His work the Century Cycle is the most expansive chronicle of American life in  the history of American theater. His tale of America … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Arts, Craft, I'm Just Saying!, Life., non fiction essay, North American African Perspective, Performing Arts, Tales of Iron and Water, Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Seven Guitars, A Glorious Gaze at the Mundane

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Wilson meets us where we live in all our drama and turmoil amidst the mundane backdrop of one day following another despite the brutality of the previous one. Continue reading →

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Seven of One, Five of the Other: Half way through August Wilson’s Century Cycle

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Wilson is a bluesologist and we are blues people. Avotcja Jiltonilro explained to me once that the blues as we know it actually evolved from praise music not from the angst of the American experience as we have been taught. It is our song. Our ever overstanding of the beauty and majesty inherent in life and our heart’s determination to continue beating. Continue reading →

Posted in Black Arts, Craft, non fiction essay, North American African Perspective, Performing Arts, Tales of Iron and Water, Theater, work in progress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

In Search of A Song

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Every Wilson play I have directed is about Africans finding their song.  The search for our lost song is a part of a conversation about movement literal and figurative both voluntary and involuntary. We have indeed lost our song and we often … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Arts, journal, non fiction essay, North American African Perspective, Performing Arts, Theater | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

In the sorrowful funk and divine fury of the music there is a delicately etched study of humanity for us to consider if we want more than entertainment from our theater. Continue reading →

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In the Valley

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

I am of the Valley. It is my home. That hard spot next to the rock is my reference point. It is from this point I greet the sun and the things that walk in my night. It is from this perspective that I tilt my head to capture the sound of God’s voice. It is from this vantage point I strive for justice. Continue reading →

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A writer writes. 2

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

I thank the ancestors, my parents, my children, the spirits that walk with me for the gifts given. I remember. I am here. I am not done. I remain a willing vessel. I plan to run on until my day is done and when I get to my maker may she say, ‘Well done.” Continue reading →

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Comments on Walking thru Fire or Banging Full Metal

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

I loathe the presence of a person who insist on complicating the simple. I abhor those who traffic in road blocks. For me that’s like a red flag to a bull. Continue reading →

Posted in Black Arts, Craft, Life., North American African Perspective, Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment