Denise Burse as Claretha Jenkins in House of Payne’s “Payneful Visit”

Photo by Lia Chang

Denise Burse is most familiar to television audiences as Claretha Jenkins on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, the 2011 NAACP Award recipient for Outstanding Comedy Series. In the current season of House of Payne, Claretha reveals she has leukemia.

Ms. Burse can be seen in Bruce Beresford’s Peace, Love, and Misunderstanding, a new film starring Jane Fonda, Elizabeth Olsen, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Catherine Keener, Chase Crawford and Kyle MacLachlan, scheduled for release this year.

Production still of Charles Randolph Wright's Preaching to the Choir (l-r) Kia (Janine Green), Miss Nettie (Eartha Kitt), Butter (Roger Robinson), Willie (Jonathan Lopez), Sister Marcie (Denise Burse), Sister Emma (Adriane Lenox) Photo by Robert Barocci/Preaching to the Choir

Her favorite film roles include her co-starring turns as Martin Luther King, Jr.’s mother opposite Howard Rollins in The Boy King (WSB); as Buster Marshall, Thurgood Marshall’s wife in Simple Justice (PBS American Experience); as Sister Marcie in Preaching to the Choir, directed by Charles Randolph Wright, as Sergeant Martin in A Time to Triumph (CBS) starring Patty Duke; and as Eleanor Clark in Resting Place (CBS, Hallmark Hall of Fame), starring John Lithgow and Morgan Freeman. Other film and TV credits include the BET/STARZ movie Funny Valentines, with Alfre Woodard and Loretta Devine, Angel, Basquiat, The Juror, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Third Watch, 100 Centre Street, The Sopranos, The Cosby Show, New York Undercover and One Life to Live.

Denise Burse as Harriet Tubman in Harriet's Return. Photo by Lia Chang

Ms. Burse appeared on Broadway in Wendy Wasserstein’s An American Daughter, directed by Daniel Sullivan. Her Off-Broadway credits include Eisa Davis’ Angela’s Mixtape (Ohio Theatre), Don Juan of Seville (Classical Stage Company), Ground People (American Place Theatre), Harriet’s Return (Cherry Lane Theatre), Hannah Davis (Negro Ensemble Company) and Bill Harris’ Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil (New Federal Theatre). Her regional credits include Pearl Cleage’s Flyin’ West with Ruby Dee at The Kennedy Center; Charles Randolph Wright’s Blue (Cincinnati Playhouse, Geva); Miss Evers’ Boys (Illusion Theater); African Company Presents Richard III (Cleveland Playhouse); Fences (CENTERSTAGE); The Piano Lesson (Seattle Repertory Theatre, director Lloyd Richards) and James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner (True Colors Theatre Company/Alliance Theatre). Helmer Kenny Leon has directed her in August Wilson’s Fences (Alliance Theatre), Radio Golf (CENTERSTAGE, Mark Taper Forum, Seattle Repertory Theatre), The Piano Lesson and Seven Guitars (Alliance Theatre). Ms. Burse garnered a Theatre World Award for her Off-Broadway debut in Ground People and an AUDELCO Award for Robert Johnson: Trick The Devil.

(l-r) Denise Burse, Navaina Rhodes, Margo Moorer and Chandra Currelley in True Colors Theatre's production of The Amen Corner by James Baldwin at The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Photo by Tom Meyer

A native of Atlanta, Ms. Burse honed her craft performing at the Just Us Theatre, The Alliance Theatre and The Atlanta Children’s Theater.

Here is the link – http://wp.me/pla1d-3hJ – to post this article on Facebook.

On October 16, 2005, fourteen days after American playwright August Wilson's death, the theatre was renamed in his honor. (l-r) August Wilson's niece Kimberly Ellis with Radio Golf castmembers Denise Burse, John Earl Jelks and Anthony Chisholm in front of the August Wilson Theatre on October 16, 2005. Photos by Lia Chang

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Multimedia: The 52nd Street Project Benefit Photos: Michael Cerveris, James Monroe Inglehart, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Matthew Morrison, Greg Naughton and Kelli O’Hara
Michael Cerveris, Matthew Morrison & Kelli O’Hara sing for 52nd Street Project’s Benefit
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Denise Burse, Rocky Carroll, Anthony Chisholm, John Earl Jelks and James A. Williams in Radio Golf by August Wilson at The Pearlstone Theater in Baltimore
Marva Hicks and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra light up the Southern Theatre with a “A Night at the Apollo”
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.

Lia Chang, Peter Jay Fernandez, Denise Burse and Marva Hicks after the concert presentation of Pat Holley's Me and Caesar Lee at The Triad Theatre in New York on April 3, 2011.

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive and social media presence. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden. Lia currently plays Nurse Lia on “One Life to Live”. She has appeared in Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and “New York Undercover”.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space are now in the newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, thelmagazine.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog.

Lia Chang Multimedia: The 52nd Street Project Benefit Photos: Michael Cerveris, James Monroe Inglehart, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Matthew Morrison, Greg Naughton and Kelli O’Hara

The 52nd Street Project lyricists Brandon Leon, Elizabeth Vasquez, Adnan Ahmed, Melissa Rebolledo and Wendell Jenkins. ©Lia Chang

Rebecca Naomi Jones, who is currently starring in American Idiot on Broadway, with Denise Burse. Photo by Lia Chang

I had a great time at The 52nd Street Project’s Spring Sing Thing: A Garden Variety Benefit at Espace on Monday night, thanks to my hosts Mildred and Borah Walton, whose daughter Denise Burse (House of Payne) invited me to the party. Ms. Burse and her husband Peter Jay Fernandez (FX’s Damages), are among the countless professional theater artists who have mentored and nurtured kids of The 52nd St. Project for almost two decades.

Looking for a way to improve the quality of life for New York’s inner-city children, actor/playwright and 1994 MacArthur Fellow Willie Reale founded The 52nd Street Project in 1981.

Willie Reale, an actor, playwright and 1994 MacArthur Fellow founded The 52nd Street Project in 1981. Photo by Lia Chang

Mr. Reale, an actor, playwright, and company member of the Ensemble Studio Theater (EST), used his company privileges to reach out to the children of the neighborhood by creating theatrical endeavors specifically for them. This was done with the cooperation and support of EST and its across-the-street-neighbor, the Police Athletic League’s Duncan Center. The Project is an independent not-for-profit organization that creates over eighty new plays and serves over 115 children every year.

For 29 years, The Project’s mission has been dedicated to the creation and production of new plays for and by kids between the ages of nine and eighteen that reside in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood in New York City.

Cocktails and dinner were followed by a delightful show, emceed by Martha Plimpton, featuring songs with lyrics written by kids of the Project and music supplied by professional artists.

Martha Plimpton emceed The 52nd Street Project's Spring Sing Thing Benefit at Espace in New York on Monday, May 10, 2010. © Lia Chang

Spring Sing Thing was written by John Sheehy, directed by Jonathan Bernstein, and featured musical direction and piano by Kimberly Grigsby, Thad DeBrock on guitar, Jeff Potter on drums, and backup singers Emma Hunton and Gabriel Violett. With music coordination by Kim D. Sherman, lighting design by Greg MacPherson, sound design by Charles Coe and set design by George Babiak.

Memphis’ star James Monroe Inglehart, who sat at our table, was adorable singing ‘She the Best’ by lyricist Adnan Ahmed, age 10, and composer Brian Lowdermilk (Henry and Mudge).

James Monroe Inglehart is currently appearing on Broadway in Memphis.© Lia Chang

‘Immortal Powers’ with lyrics by Melissa Rebolledo, age 13, was composed and sung by Michael Cerveris (Assassins).

Michael Cerveris © Lia Chang

American Idiot’s star Rebecca Naomi Jones (Passing Strange) rocked ‘To The Beat of New York’ by lyricist Elizabeth Vasquez, age 12, and composer Tom Kitt (Next to Normal).

American Idiot's star Rebecca Naomi Jones © Lia Chang

Glee’s Matthew Morrison, who has charmed Broadway audiences in South Pacific, Hairspray and Light in the Piazza, sang ‘Need U’ by lyricist Wendell Joseph, age 13, and composer Jeanine Tesori (Caroline or Change, Shrek The Musical).

Lyricist Wendell Joseph, age 13 and Glee's Matthew Morrison © Lia Chang

Greg Naughton of the band The Sweet Remains was joined by his wife Kelli O’Hara (South Pacific, Light in the Piazza) to sing ‘Springtime the Joyful Time’ by lyricist Brandon Leon, age 12, which Naughton composed as well.

Greg Naughton and Kelli O’Hara © Lia Chang

Proceeds from Spring Sing Thing will support the project’s original writing, performance and tutoring programs.

The 52nd Street Project now has a home of their own, their very first theater located at 789 Tenth Avenue between 52nd & 53rd Streets, in the Archstone-Clinton development, which is slated to open later this summer. For more information, visit: www.52project.org.

Lia Chang, Matthew Morrison and designer Selena Evans Photo by Robert Evans

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer and an award-winning multimedia journalist. Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, VIBE, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog. As a photographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden. Her HERRINGBONE Backstage Pass with BD Wong photography exhibition was on view at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, N.J. Lia currently plays Nurse Lia on One Life to Live. She has appeared in Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman, As the World Turns and New York Undercover.
Other Articles by this Author
Michael Cerveris, Matthew Morrison and Kelli O’Hara Lend Vocal Talents for 52nd St. Project Benefit
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Zooman and The Sign Opening Night Party
Peter Jay Fernandez and Laura Heisler Star in Too Much Memory
BD Wong to Star in Asia Society Benefit Concert of Heading East, May 24-26
Achieving the American Dream, Professional Charmer Andre De Shields Sees Theater is a Way to Life
Multimedia: Yellow Face Reading and Book Signing with David Henry Hwang, Kathryn Layng, Francis Jue and Special Guest Edward Albee
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Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.

Lia Chang: Michael Cerveris, Matthew Morrison and Kelli O’Hara Lend Vocal Talents for 52nd Street Project’s 2010 Benefit on 5/10

Peter Jay Fernandez and his wife Denise Burse have had a special place in their hearts for the kids of The 52nd St. Project for almost two decades. Photo by Lia Chang

I’ve been invited to The 52nd Street Project’s Spring Sing Thing: A Garden Variety Benefit at Espace on Monday, May 10, 2010, by my good friend and colleague actress Denise Burse (Angela’s Mixtape, Claretha on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne). For almost two decades, she and her husband Peter Jay Fernandez, who recently appeared in Yussef El Guindi’s Language Rooms at the Wilma Theater, and has a recurring role on FX’s Damages, have volunteered their time and talent as two of the countless professional theater artists who are matched up with kids in a series of unique mentoring programs for The 52nd Street Project. The Project’s mission is dedicated to the creation and production of new plays for and by kids between the ages of nine and eighteen that reside in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood in New York City.

The evening’s festivities will be emceed by Martha Plimpton, and will feature a bouquet of songs with lyrics written by kids of the Project and music supplied by professional artists. Included on the lineup is the work of lyricists Adnan Ahmed, Brandon Leon, Wendell Joseph, Melissa Rebolledo, and Elizabeth Vazquez, and composers Brian Lowdermilk (Henry and Mudge), Jeanine Tesori (Caroline or Change, Shrek The Musical) and Tom Kitt (Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize for Next to Normal).

Singers Michael Cerveris (Tony for Assassins), Matthew Morrison (Glee), James Monroe Iglehart (currently on Broadway in Memphis), Rebecca Naomi Jones (Passing Strange, American Idiot), Kelli O’Hara (South Pacific, Light in the Piazza) and Greg Naughton (of the band The Sweet Remains) will lend their vocal talents.

Jonathan Bernstein is the Director and Kimberly Grigsby is the Music Director. The band will include Grigsby on keyboards and Jeff Potter on drums.

The Project was founded in 1981 by actor/playwright and 1994 MacArthur Fellow Willie Reale in response to a deepening need to improve the quality of life for New York’s inner-city children. Mr. Reale, an actor, playwright, and company member of the Ensemble Studio Theater (EST), used his company privileges to reach out to the children of the neighborhood by creating theatrical endeavors specifically for them. This was done with the cooperation and support of EST and its across-the-street-neighbor, the Police Athletic League’s Duncan Center. The Project is now an independent not-for-profit organization that creates over eighty new plays and serves over 115 children every year.

The 52nd Street Project recently opened a theater—the first of their own—at 789 Tenth Avenue between 52nd & 53rd Streets, in the Archstone-Clinton development. The facility’s opening is slated for late summer of this year.

The evening will begin at 7 pm with cocktails followed by dinner and the show. Tickets are $250 and $500 and can be reserved by calling 212-333-5252 x16. For further information, visit: www.52project.org.

For further information, contact John Sheehy, Director of Development at The 52nd Street Project at (212) 333-5252 or sheehy@52project.org. Contributions are tax deductible except for $150 per ticket. All ticket orders will be held at the door. Proceeds from Spring Sing Thing will support the project’s original writing, performance and tutoring programs.

Espace
635 West 42nd St. btwn 11th & 12th Aves)
New York

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Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.

Lia Chang: AUDELCO 2009 “The VIV” Nominees for the 2008-2009 Theatre Season

New Federal Theatre producer Woodie King, Jr. Photo by Lia Chang

“The VIV” Awards, the annual Vivian Robinson/AUDELCO Recognition, are the only formally established awards presented to the black theatre community. AUDELCO (Audience Development Committee, Inc.) was established and incorporated in 1973 by the late Vivian Robinson, to stimulate interest in, and support of performing arts in black communities. AUDELCO celebrates 37 years of Excellence in Black Theatre this year, honoring nine Outstanding Pioneer Theatre Companies 35+ years, with the “The VIV” 2009 Annual Vivian Robinson/AUDELCO Recognition Awards. The Outstanding Pioneer Theatre Companies 35+ years include: AMAS, Billie Holiday Theatre, Black Spectrum Theatre, Frank Silvera’s Writer’s Workshop, National Black Theatre, Negro Ensemble Company, New Federal Theatre, Richard Allen Center for Culture & Arts and the Roger Furman Theatre.

Aaron Davis Hall is the place to be on Monday, November 16 at 7pm, for this year’s award ceremony. Below is a full list of the 2009 “The VIV” Nominees for the 2008-2009 Theatre season. Good luck to all of the nominees.

LIGHTING DESIGN
AVAN (The High Priestess of Dark Alley)
Aaron Black (Three Sisters)
Lap Chi Chu (The Good Negro)
Matthew Frey (Zooman and the Sign)
Peter Kaczorowski (Ruined)

SET DESIGN
Jaime Durant (The High Priestess of Dark Alley)
Troy Hourie (Three Sisters)
Derek McLane (Ruined)
Shaun Motley (Zooman and the Sign)

COSTUME DESIGN
Kimberly Glennon (Three Sisters)
Helen L. Simmons (The High Priestess of Dark Alley)
Paul Tazewell (Ruined)
Toni-Leslie James (Wig Out)
Ali Turns (King Lear)

SOUND DESIGN
Daniel Baker (The Good Negro)
Robert Kaplowitz (Zooman and the Sign)
C. Andrew Mayer (Pure Confidence)
Rob Milburn & Michael Bodeen (Ruined)
David Wright (King Lear)

DIRECTOR/DRAMATIC PRODUCTION
Marion McClinton (Pure Confidence)
Stephen McKinley Henderson (Zooman and the Sign)
Chris McElreon (Three Sisters)
Ron OJ Parson (Home)
Liesl Tommy (The Good Negro)
Kate Whoriskey (Ruined)

Alfred Preisser is a Best Director/Musical Production nominee for The Classical Theatre of Harlem's production of Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe. © Lia Chang

DIRECTOR/MUSICAL PRODUCTION
Keith Lee Grant (The Wiz)
Melvin Van Peebles (Unmitigated Truth)
Alfred Preisser (Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe)
Ken Wydro (Sing Harlem Sing!)

CHOREOGRAPHER
Tracy Jack (Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe)
Keith Lee Grant (The Wiz)

PLAYWRIGHT
Jackie Alexander (The High Priestess of Dark Alley)
Carlyle Brown (Pure Confidence)
Leslie Lee (Sundown Names and Night-Gone Things)
Lynn Nottage (Ruined)
Tracey Scott Wilson (The Good Negro)

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Francois Battiste (The Good Negro)
J. Bernard Calloway (The Good Negro)
Garrett Lee Hendricks (Miss Evers’ Boys)
Russell G. Jones (Ruined)

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Quincy Tyler Bernstine (Ruined)
Condola Rashad (Ruined)
Tracie Thoms (10 Things To Do Before I Die)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL/FEMALE
Carmen Barika (Unmitigated Truth)
Alexandra Bernard (The Wiz)
Kim Brockington (Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe)
Danyel Fulton (The Wiz)

AUDELCO nominee André De Shields (center) flanked by Tyrone Davis, Charletta Rozzell and Reji Woods in the Classical Theatre of Harlem's Archibishop Supreme Tartuffe at The Clurman in July, 2009. © Lia Chang

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL/MALE
Andre De Shields (Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe)
Michael J (The Wiz)
Ted Lange (Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe)
William “Spaceman” Patterson (Unmitigated Truth)
Melvin Van Peebles (Unmitigated Truth)

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Kelvyn Bell (Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe)
Edward Cieghorn (Sing Harlem Sing!)
Eric Johnson (The Wiz)
William “Spaceman” Patterson (Unmitigated Truth)

The AUDELCO nominated company of Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe on their opening night at The Clurman in New York on June 25, 2009. © Lia Chang

MUSICAL PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe (Classical Theatre of Harlem)
Sing Harlem Sing! (Mama Foundation for the Arts)
Unmitigated Truth (Algonquin Theater Productions)
The Wiz (Harlem Repertory Theatre)

Castmembers Linda Powell, Ayesha Ngaujah, director Liesl Tommy, Eisa Davis, Denise Burse and Kim Brockington celebrate the opening night of their show "Angela's Mixtape," written by Eisa Davis, and presented by New Georges and Hip-Hop Theater Festival, at the Ohio Theatre on April 9, 2009. © Lia Chang

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
Angela’s Mixtape (New Georges)
Home (Signature Theatre Company)
Kernel of Sanity (New Federal Theatre)
Sundown Names and Night-Gone Things (Negro Ensemble Co.)
The High Priestess of Dark Alley (Billie Holiday Theatre)

Amari Cheatom © Lia Chang

SOLO PERFORMANCE
Khalil Ashanti (Basic Training)
Margaret Reed (Passing)

LEAD ACTOR
Amari Cheatom (Zooman and the Sign)
Gavin Lawrence (Pure Confidence)
Delroy Lindo (Things of Dry Hour)
Curtis McClarin (The Good Negro)
John Douglas Thompson (Othello)

LEAD ACTRESS
Natalie Venetia Belcon (10 Things To Do Before I Die)
Trezana Beverley (King Lear)
Saidah Arrika Ekulona (Ruined)
Nedra McClyde (Miss Evers’ Boys)
Rosalyn Ruff (Things of Dry Hour)

The cast of Zooman: Peter Jay Fernandez, Rosalyn Coleman, Jamal Mallory-McCree, Evan Parke, Amari Cheatom, Portia, Ron Canada, W. Tre Davis and Lynda Gravatt. © Lia Chang

BEST REVIVAL***
A Bolt from the Blue (The H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players)
Home (Signature Theatre Company)
Monk (Nuyorican Poets Cafe)
Three Sisters (Classical Theatre of Harlem)
Zooman and the Sign (Signature Theatre Company)

Rome Neal stars in Laurence Holder’s MONK, a one man play about jazz great Thelonious Monk, with a musical score by Bill Lee at the NUYORICAN POETS CAFÉ in New York.

DRAMATIC PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
Pure Confidence (59e59 Theaters)
Ruined (Manhattan Theatre Club)
Sundown Names and Night-Gone Things (Negro Ensemble Co.)
The Good Negro (The Public Theater)
The High Priestess of Dark Alley (Billie Holiday Theatre)

Cast of The Billie Holiday Theatre’s production of The High Priestess of Dark Alley (L-R) Nicoye Banks, Aura Vence, Zeb Hollins III, Marcelle Gover, Mari White and Michael Chenevert. © Mark Blackshear/Courtesy of Billie Holiday Theatre

***New category

HarlemStage/Aaron Davis Hall, Inc.
Marian Anderson Theatre
134th Street & Convent Avenue
New York City, NY
VIP Gala Reception 6:00 p.m.
Ceremony Awards and Honors 7:30 p.m.

For information and tickets to the 2009 AUDELCO Award Ceremony at Aaron Davis Hall, contact: AUDELCO@aol.com or call 212-368-6906
Directions

By Bus
From the east side: M-101, M-100 to 135th St. & Amsterdam Ave.
From the west side: M-11 to 135th St. and Amsterdam Avenue; M-4, M-5 to 135th St. and Broadway.
Walk east one block to Convent and 135th Street. Entrance of both the Gatehouse and Aaron Davis Hall are located on Convent Ave.

By Subway
1 to 137th Street at Broadway. Walk south to 135th Street and walk east two blocks to Convent Ave. and 135th Street. The entrances to both the Gatehouse and Aaron Davis Hall are located on Convent Ave.
A, B, C, D to 125th Street at St. Nicholas Avenue. Walk east one block to Morningside Drive. and 125th Street. Walk north to 135th Street and Convent Ave (Morningside Drive. turns into Convent Ave. past 127th Street). Entrance of both the Gatehouse and Aaron Davis Hall are located on Convent Ave.

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and a multimedia journalist. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. As a photographer and videographer, Lia is frequently tapped to collaborate with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden.

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Playbill.com: Photo Call: De Shields and Lange Star in Off Broadway’s Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe
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Lia Chang: Angela’s Mixtape Opening Night

Castmembers Linda Powell, Ayesha Ngaujah, director Liesl Tommy, Eisa Davis, Denise Burse and Kim Brockington celebrate the opening night of their show "Angela's Mixtape," written by Eisa Davis, and presented by New Georges and Hip-Hop Theater Festival, at the Ohio Theatre on April 9, 2009. (Photo by Lia Chang)

Performances are Mondays through Saturdays at 8pm through May 2. Tickets are $20 for general admission (including students and seniors), with a $35 reserved premium ticket also available. Monday night performances are “pay-what-you-will” at the door only. TDF vouchers will be accepted. The box office number for reservations is 212-868-4444 orwww.smarttix.com. For more information and group rates call 646-336-8077.

“ANGELA’S MIXTAPE” is being presented with New Georges and Hip-Hop Theater Festival as a joint world premiere with Synchronicity Performance Group (Atlanta), who produced it in 2008.
www.newgeorges.org
www.hhtf.org

Related Theatre Articles:

Eisa Davis’ Angela’s Mixtape New Georges and Hip Hop Theatre Festival at the Ohio
Eisa Davis Tells Story of Activist Angela Davis in Angela’s Mixtape

Zooman and The Sign Opening Night Party

Andre De Shields in Impressionism

Charles Fuller’s Zooman and The Sign at Signature Theatre through 4/26

Ping Chong and Co.’s Inside Out at the TimesCenter Stage

Celebrating Woodie King

Christine Toy Johnson Kicks Off Pan Asian Reps NewWorks 09

Randy Gener Receives George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism

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Lucia Hwong Gordon Among Women’s Project’s Women of Achievement Honorees

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A Tune Beyond Us or What a Revoltin’ Development This is

Tapping the Night Away with Tamango and His Urban Tap Jam at The Kitchen and Drom

Rome Neal in Laurence Holder’s Monk at the Nuyorican Poets Café in New York
Mia Katigbak and Eduardo Machado Star in the NAATCO Revival of Tennesee Williams Outcry
Peter Jay Fernandez and Laura Heisler Star in Too Much Memory
Jarlath Conroy in The Seagull

Andre De Shields and Reg E. Cathey Star in Cato at The Flea

Beau Sia Plays The Bowery Poetry Club

Passage Theatre Presents Amber Kain’s the Summer House at Mill Hill Playhouse

Thom Sesma, Peter Kim, Andrew Cristi Star in Durango

Diamond Head Theatre’s Les Miserables Extended through October 19

Benefit Performances of the Romance of Magno Rubio in Stockton and San Bruno

BD Wong is a Tour de Force in Herringbone

Spotlight on Shanghai Moon’s Thom Sesma

Nothing is Sacred in David Henry Hwang’s Comedy of Mistaken Racial Identity

Francis Jue, At Home on the Stage