Presented by National Black Theatre in partnership with Rattlestick Theater, a.k. payne's Amani opens its world premiere at Rattlestick Theater February 16. Previews began February 8 for a run through March 5.
Denise Manning (What To Send Up When It Goes Down) stars in the title role alongside Omari K. Chancellor (Soft) as Robert Richards/Davion/Lamar Davis/A Series of Men, Kai Heath (On Sugarland) as Kofa, Eden Marryshow (INK) as Smith, and Mars Rucker (A Strange Loop) as Daisa.
The play follows the journey of Amani, who grows up building a rocket ship with her father, who vows to make it to outer space where his child can breathe easy, where there are no gangs to take his first love’s life, nor prisons to take Black boys’ best years. As Amani moves into adulthood, she seeks her voice and her own dreams.
Directed by current NBT Soul Series Directing Resident Josiah Davis (Mr. Saturday Night, Lessons in Survival: 1971), the production's creative team features set designer Maruti Evans, lighting designer Marika Kent, sound designer and composer Kathy Ruvuna, music director and pianist Nehemiah Luckett, costume designer Mika Eubanks, projection designer Brittany Bland, dramaturg Nissy Aya, intimacy coordinator Ann C. James, props master Daniel Brothers, assistant costume designer Allison Esonnason, master electrician Tom Dyer, set fabricator Sightline Fabrication, casting director Destiny Lilly, and casting assistant Alex Cortinas.
This production comes as a part of NBT’s Soul Directing Residency, a rigorous yet creative playground for Black directors to gain exposure, New York City credentials, and technical skills.
For ticket information click here.
