Harlem KW Project, LLC Mission:
The mission of Harlem KW Project, LLC is to use Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale to facilitate discussion around gentrification, as well as encourage audience members to think critically about this topic, learn more, take action, and support the arts cultures within their respective communities. We hope to shed light on the positives and negatives of gentrification while paying homage to our beautiful village of Harlem, New York.
Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale History:
Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale began as a result of a Facebook status. Jaylene Clark Owens randomly posted a poetic Facebook status in 2010 about wanting to jump back into the spoken word world after being on somewhat of a break while in college.
The mission of Harlem KW Project, LLC is to use Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale to facilitate discussion around gentrification, as well as encourage audience members to think critically about this topic, learn more, take action, and support the arts cultures within their respective communities. We hope to shed light on the positives and negatives of gentrification while paying homage to our beautiful village of Harlem, New York.
Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale History:
Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale began as a result of a Facebook status. Jaylene Clark Owens randomly posted a poetic Facebook status in 2010 about wanting to jump back into the spoken word world after being on somewhat of a break while in college.
It read, "It's time to stop dipping a toe in here, wading in a little bit there. I need to jump back into this sea world of poetry like I'm Shamu...heavy. Too much gentrification going on in Harlem to get light. Time to spit killer lines with killer rhymes of killer tales. Cuz Harlem is looking more and more like the belly of a killer whale."
Alfred Preisser, who taught Jaylene when she attended the Harlem School of the Arts College Prep Theatre Program, saw the status and asked her if she could create an entire show based on the killer whale/gentrification metaphor that would incorporate theatre and spoken word for his play reading series at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Jaylene, who always wanted to create a show that blended her two loves of theatre and poetry, jumped on the opportunity. She contacted Hollis Heath, who has been her best friend since four years old, and Janelle Heatley, her former Harlem School of the Arts friend and classmate, to be her cast mates. Jaylene also contacted one of her other best friends, Chyann Sapp, to help with the writing.
While planning for the show, Jaylene began referencing it as the KW Project, KW standing for Killer Whale. Eventually she added the very important name of Harlem to it, thus calling it the Harlem KW Project. The ladies decided to adopt this as their production company name, thus becoming Harlem KW Project, LLC. Through a series of meetings and workshops, these four women wrote several theatrical scenes, poems, and songs, which they blended together to create Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale. Through an intimate, friendly, and supportive environment, these ladies fed off of one another to create something magical. Each playwright provided feedback on various aspects of the production that made it into what it is today.
Synopsis of Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale:
Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale uniquely tells the story of three young women’s love affair with Harlem from youth to young adulthood through a montage of spoken word poetry, theatre, dance, and song. Set in 2013, it explores the conflicts in coming to terms with a gentrified Harlem. The characters grapple with the positive aspects of gentrification, such as increased security, new businesses, and more resources, but also the negative aspects, such as displacement of residents, higher prices, and a cultural loss. Through stories deeply moving and uproariously funny, the performers bring to life their home neighborhood, the world famous village of Harlem, and highlight one vital idea that rings true for them all: They wish to establish a new Harlem Renaissance that will embrace the inevitable change to their neighborhood while revitalizing the rich culture of its past.
Production History of Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale (see College Tour page for our tour shows):
Awards and Recognition
Alfred Preisser, who taught Jaylene when she attended the Harlem School of the Arts College Prep Theatre Program, saw the status and asked her if she could create an entire show based on the killer whale/gentrification metaphor that would incorporate theatre and spoken word for his play reading series at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Jaylene, who always wanted to create a show that blended her two loves of theatre and poetry, jumped on the opportunity. She contacted Hollis Heath, who has been her best friend since four years old, and Janelle Heatley, her former Harlem School of the Arts friend and classmate, to be her cast mates. Jaylene also contacted one of her other best friends, Chyann Sapp, to help with the writing.
While planning for the show, Jaylene began referencing it as the KW Project, KW standing for Killer Whale. Eventually she added the very important name of Harlem to it, thus calling it the Harlem KW Project. The ladies decided to adopt this as their production company name, thus becoming Harlem KW Project, LLC. Through a series of meetings and workshops, these four women wrote several theatrical scenes, poems, and songs, which they blended together to create Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale. Through an intimate, friendly, and supportive environment, these ladies fed off of one another to create something magical. Each playwright provided feedback on various aspects of the production that made it into what it is today.
Synopsis of Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale:
Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale uniquely tells the story of three young women’s love affair with Harlem from youth to young adulthood through a montage of spoken word poetry, theatre, dance, and song. Set in 2013, it explores the conflicts in coming to terms with a gentrified Harlem. The characters grapple with the positive aspects of gentrification, such as increased security, new businesses, and more resources, but also the negative aspects, such as displacement of residents, higher prices, and a cultural loss. Through stories deeply moving and uproariously funny, the performers bring to life their home neighborhood, the world famous village of Harlem, and highlight one vital idea that rings true for them all: They wish to establish a new Harlem Renaissance that will embrace the inevitable change to their neighborhood while revitalizing the rich culture of its past.
Production History of Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale (see College Tour page for our tour shows):
- American Negro Theatre at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (NY): March 16, 2011
- Times Square Arts Center (NY): May 18, 2011- June 6, 2011; July 17, 2011- August 16, 2011
- Londel's Supper Club (NY): November 1, 2011
- National Black Theatre (NY): November 4, 2011- December 11, 2011
- BusBoys and Poets (DC): May 20, 2012
- Soundview Presbyterian Church (NY): April 28,2012
- 777 Theatre (NY): December 2, 2012 and December 9, 2012
- Soundview Presbyterian Church (NY): March 9,2013
- Union Chapel in Martha's Vineyard (MA): July 25, 2013
- Dwyer Cultural Center (NY): January 31, 2014- February 2, 2014
- Harlem Stage (NY): February 12, 2014
- Goddard Riverside Community Center (NY): April 12, 2014
- Union Chapel in Martha's Vineyard (MA): July 31, 2014
- Harlem School of the Arts (NY): October 17-18, 2014
- Goddard Riverside Community Center (NY): February 7, 2015
- Math for America (NY): March 4, 2015
- Goddard Riverside Community Center (NY): September 12, 2015
- Math for America (NY): February 15, 2016
- Big Belly Roti Shop (NY): December 3, 2016
- Harlem School of the Arts (NY): February 10-11, 2017
- Harlem School of the Arts (NY): July 7-8, 2017
- Harlem School of the Arts (NY): September 16, 2017
- Success Academy Charter School (NY): March 26, 2018
- Theater Horizon (PA): February 22-24, 2019
- The Wilma Theater (PA): February 26- March 7, 2020
Awards and Recognition
- 2020: Barrymore Recommended
- 2012: Winner of AUDELCO Award for "Outstanding Ensemble Performance"
- 2012: Harlem Arts Alliance Arts and Community Award