NYTW BLOG

In Dreaming Zenzile, Somi awakens the power of Miriam Makeba; What a GIFT it was to witness. Makeba’s powers included her ability to transport an audience and motivate folks into action for social change. This play is a work of conjuring in which through Somi we get an intimate look into the soul of Makeba.

June 12, 2022 by Trevor Latez Hayes (Creator of @BlackBoysDoTheater)

Check out the amazing study guide for Dreaming Zenzile made by our Education team. Students and teachers get a glimpse behind the curtain into the world of Miriam Makeba and the historical context in which Dreaming Zenzile takes place.

June 7, 2022 by NYTW Education

We are still over the moon after the announcement yesterday of Patricia McGregor as the new Artistic Director of New York Theatre Workshop. In her first interview as incoming AD, Patricia sits down with American Theatre to discuss the transition process, her relationship with Jim Nicola, and what she sees as the future of NYTW.

May 26, 2022 by Rob Weinert-Kendt for American Theatre

We are excited to announce that Patricia McGregor will succeed James C. Nicola as Artistic Director, following a yearlong search led by ALJP Consulting and a dedicated search committee of artists, staff and Trustees. McGregor will assume the role beginning this summer. In an effort to give the incoming Artistic Director time and space to curate their first season and immerse themselves in the community, NYTW productions have already been set through Spring 2023. McGregor’s first programmed season will commence in Fall 2023. McGregor joins Jeremy Blocker, who continues in the role of Managing Director.

May 25, 2022 by NYTW

Somi chats with Lois Reitzes of WABE’s City Lights to discuss her album, Zenzile: The Reimagination Miriam Makeba, how Dreaming Zenzile acts as a companion piece to the album, and the extraordinary and under-recognized life of Miriam Makeba herself.

May 17, 2022 by Lois Reitzes for WABE City Lights

Nothing brings us more joy than being in the room with artists, especially meeting people for the first time! After many zoom conversations across the country and across continents, it was with such joy that we welcomed Somi Kakoma and the company of Dreaming Zenzile to NYTW for their first rehearsal!

May 7, 2022 by NYTW

We were thrilled for our beloved Overlord, Kristina Wong, who was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in drama for Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord, which had its world premiere at NYTW in November 2021.

May 6, 2022 by NYTW

Zenzile Miriam “Mama Africa” Makeba was a gifted, bold, and beautiful singer, songwriter, and truth teller. See touched the spirits of many on an international scale. Her life was a walk in truth through time, space, and music. Take a journey through Makeba’s life with this interactive timeline.

May 3, 2022 by NYTW

While NYTW added 3 new companies in residence in 2022, we are also excited to continue our relationship with Noor Theatre, which began over ten years ago!  Founding Artistic Director Lameece Isaaq, who also wrote the 2012 production of Food & Fadwa at NYTW, talks about what the future looks like for Noor.

May 1, 2022 by John Soltes for HOLLYWOOD SOAPBOX

Mind the Gap is a free intergenerational theatre program in which elders [ages 60+] and youth [ages 14-19] interview each other and write or devise short plays inspired by their personal stories. Our Education Associate, Psacoya Guinn, sat down for a conversation with a few of the teens in the Spring 2022 cohort: Ayami Takayama, Imogen Russell, Kady Nankivel, and Miranda Henry. They discuss the program, their writing process, and their misconceptions of elders.

April 26, 2022 by Psacoya Guinn, NYTW Education Associate