Today, November 1st, is a very special day for Harlem KW Project. It was on this day, November 1, 2010 that Jaylene sent the first email to Chyann, Hollis, and Janelle asking them if they wanted to be a part of this potential project at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Here is a snippet of the conversation:
Jaylene:
My FB Status: 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.
[She then showed them the conversation she had with Alfred Preisser where he asked her to do a 60 minute play based on this status with 2-3 other women]
What do you all think about this? I need 2-3 more women. I have my friend Janelle in mind cuz she's an actress and a poet. Hollis I know you are a poet and actress...but I know u are extremely busy...would you be interested? Chyann I know u have strong feelings about gentrification in Harlem. If you guys have any ideas on the project let me know!
Love yall.
Chyann:
This sounds like an incredible opportunity! To have a performance piece at the Schomburg is the perfect venture for a young actress like yourself. I'd definitely love to be a part of it. Obviously I don't have much experience with the performance aspect of the production, but I can definitely contribute in terms of writing, editing, and just overall opinions and experience. Count me IN.
Janelle:
Wow j! This sounds absolutely phenomenal! I definitely would be interested in collaborating with you on this project! It sounds like so much fun. You can count me in, just let me know when, where, and the logistics but I'm in.
Hollis:
Hollis gave a verbal response so it is not in the email, but of course, she said she was interested and would love to be a part of it!
--
And so it happened that the four of us got together and began writing Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale! Through a series of workshops, freewrites, and emails, we created this play and debuted it as a play reading at the historic Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Now, a year later, we are so blessed to say that we had the opportunity to do two runs in Times Square, and are now having our play produced at the National Black Theatre in Harlem! We are extremely grateful for these opportunities and thankful to all those who have showed their continued support!
We hope you continue to support us on this journey!
Much love,
The Ladies of Harlem KW Project, LLC <3
Jaylene:
My FB Status: 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.
[She then showed them the conversation she had with Alfred Preisser where he asked her to do a 60 minute play based on this status with 2-3 other women]
What do you all think about this? I need 2-3 more women. I have my friend Janelle in mind cuz she's an actress and a poet. Hollis I know you are a poet and actress...but I know u are extremely busy...would you be interested? Chyann I know u have strong feelings about gentrification in Harlem. If you guys have any ideas on the project let me know!
Love yall.
Chyann:
This sounds like an incredible opportunity! To have a performance piece at the Schomburg is the perfect venture for a young actress like yourself. I'd definitely love to be a part of it. Obviously I don't have much experience with the performance aspect of the production, but I can definitely contribute in terms of writing, editing, and just overall opinions and experience. Count me IN.
Janelle:
Wow j! This sounds absolutely phenomenal! I definitely would be interested in collaborating with you on this project! It sounds like so much fun. You can count me in, just let me know when, where, and the logistics but I'm in.
Hollis:
Hollis gave a verbal response so it is not in the email, but of course, she said she was interested and would love to be a part of it!
--
And so it happened that the four of us got together and began writing Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale! Through a series of workshops, freewrites, and emails, we created this play and debuted it as a play reading at the historic Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Now, a year later, we are so blessed to say that we had the opportunity to do two runs in Times Square, and are now having our play produced at the National Black Theatre in Harlem! We are extremely grateful for these opportunities and thankful to all those who have showed their continued support!
We hope you continue to support us on this journey!
Much love,
The Ladies of Harlem KW Project, LLC <3
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