Looking for Lilith Theatre Company
presents
a new devised play
starring Morgan M. Younge
Lifecycle of a Blackberry
based on the writings of Kentucky Poet Laureate
Crystal E. Wilkinson
Director: Keith McGill
Assistant Director: Ebony Jordan
AVAILABLE NOW FOR TOURING
Contact Shannon Woolley Allison at 347-439-8884,
[email protected]
Honoring the stories of Black Appalachian women and girls!
LIFECYCLE OF A BLACKBERRY is a new devised play starring Morgan M. Younge which honors the stories of Black Appalachian women and girls, using as inspiration the books Blackberries, Blackberries, Birds of Opulence, and Perfect Black, written by Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal E. Wilkinson, founding member of the Affrilachian Poet movement. This show is a rare opportunity for audiences to get to see three different types of books - poetry, short stories, and novel - combined into one theatrical experience. Wilkinson’s works are centered around the black experience and feminism and art. Her words in storytelling create dynamic pictures of women's lives and the characters make you believe you know these women and her stories have the power to captivate and connect people from all walks of life.
“Her performance was punctuated with appreciative laughter and sympathetic sighs as she deftly moved from one character to another with ease and an evident dedication to portraying the full humanity of each character.”
-Audience Member
We know that by lifting up these voices and sharing these unique stories through theatre, we can fight stereotypes, reflect some of the most under-heard stories of the Appalachian region, and create a powerful ripple effect of empathy and understanding. Through this shared experience, we can build a stronger community rooted in trust, equity, and justice.
“I believe that this work is going to be powerful and uplifting to those in the Affrilachian communities and Appalachian communities. It’s time to hear these stories, to learn about these women and the lives they’ve led. The audience will go home with a better understanding of family, love, and what it takes to keep going and to keep striving.”
– Morgan M. Younge
LIFECYCLE OF A BLACKBERRY
tour kick-off performance
DATES TBA, 7:30pm
*talk-backs after performances*
The Russell Theater
516 S 17th Street
Louisville, KY 40203
(At the corner of 17th & Madison)
Audiences from the March 2024 premiere described this show as multi-faceted, enlightening, heart-warming, empowering, moving, emotional, ingenious, eye-opening, extraordinary, inspiring and poignant.
"Lifecycle of A Blackberry is one of the fullest and most complex explorations of the identity of Black women I’ve encountered.. . . Watching Morgan M. Younge occupy the stage in this profoundly moving one-woman show, one is keenly aware of stereotypes being turned inside out, upside down, and entirely exploded."
- Keith Waits, Reviewer, Arts-Louisville
Devising Team
Head playwright and performer Morgan M. Younge, LFL company member and Berea College alum, worked to create this new play with a devising team including LFL members Tiera Bowman, Meg Caudill, Ebony Jordan, Jennifer Thalman Kepler, Karole Spangler, Shannon Woolley Allison (Devising Mentor) and guest deviser Jasemine Reed, with additional contributions from the LFL company ensemble.
Lifecycle of a Blackberry was made possible with funding by the New England Foundation for the Arts' National Theater Project, with lead funding from the Mellon Foundation and additional support from the Doris Duke Foundation. The creation process was funded in part by a grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women.