HARLEM & MOSCOW

By Alle Mims

Directed by Wes Goodrich

‘One of the most promising of the young Negro poets said to me once, “I want to be a poet—not a Negro poet,” meaning, I believe, “I want to write like a white poet”; meaning subconsciously, “I would like to be a white poet”; meaning behind that, “I would like to be white.”’ 

- Langston Hughes from: “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HONOR YOUR RACE? 

WHAT IS IT?

This is a trunk-show about a group of Black expats making a film in 1930s Soviet Union. 

CAST: 6-8 ACTORS

BLACK ART HAS ALWAYS BEEN PUNK ROCK. 

A Soviet Film on Negro Life in America, as Told by Langston Hughes and Others is a story that examines what it’s like to be a Black American artist working in a white capitalist system. Although the action takes place nearly 100 years ago, the push for equitable pay for artists remains relevant. We hope that you will join us in the telling of this story by supporting the artists working to make it happen.

CONCEPT

This is a PERIOD TRUNK SHOW, about the PERFORMANCE OF RACE. We want to see our ensemble assembling the playing space and getting into costume before our eyes. Costume changes that connote new characters will be done in full view. Race itself is a PERFORMANCE. 

We want to keep our set FLEXIBLE and lean in on our other design elements such as LIVE CINEMA, COSTUMING, LIGHTING & SOUND to create the world of the play. 

ART DESIGN

We want this film to feel tactile and period accurate. Meaning the costumes and props should be (to our best ability) approximations of what would be worn and used by these specific people in this specific time period. For this we will be leaning heavily on our art/costume designers. We are also interested in creating “white masks” for our Black performers to wear when they are playing white characters. 

LIGHTING & SOUND

This is a play that deals heavily with MIGRATION and employs shifting perspectives. To differentiate these changes of physical space as well as a change in POV, we will need to work closely with lighting and sound to make the changes clear and engaging. 

LIVE CINEMA

Filmmaking is the major crux of this play. The labor that goes into creating it and who it serves. 

Because of this we would like to employ both pre-recorded sequences that will be projected during the play as well as live feed. Both of which should have the texture of those old Soviet films (this will be done via filters in POST PRODUCTION) 

The cinematic aspects must be designed into the show. They are crucial. 

WHY NOW?

The primary goal of a Columbia thesis production is a creating a project that can serve as both a launching pad and a meeting place. The production should showcase the playwright’s vision while also cultivating a collaborative space for students and early career professionals. This will be a learning environment and, as studies show, it’s easier to learn on a full stomach. That is why the majority of our budget is designated to pay all artists involved.

Columbia University provides support in the form of a performance space and in-house resources, including a team of hard working theatrical professionals as well a costume, set and prop catalogue While we will be taking advantage of all provided resources, funding is still necessary as the provided budget ($2,500) is not enough if one has a desire to pay their artists.

WHERE ARE WE IN BRINGING THIS TO LIFE?

Currently our full cast crew and production team are all working in collaboration for rehersals, set design, wardrobe design and production prep to bring this show to life. We're under a month out from performances and in full Harlem Renaissance fashion are working together to ensure we are able to give this story a stage and spotlight. As a collective and Harlem community, we have a committment and responsibility for both our artists, and our audience of supporters. It's through this fundraising campaign that we're able to pull off the production, put on this performance, and properly pay our artists, cast and full crew, in the same way the figures in this story advocated to be recognized.

OK! HELP US REACH THIS GOAL!

Our audience and supporters will view this show in a live performance in a Columbia University provided theater space. If our project surpasses our fundraising goal, not only do we plan to our artists more than the discounted rates they are already taking in order to pull off this project, but additionally have an action plan for how to have this play give back via these resources to the Harlem community, both educationally and through crowdfunded resources for up and coming youth in theater, alongside all ages of the community interested in the arts.

PLEASE PLEDGE TO DONATE FOR OUR PROJECT, SHARE, FOLLOW OUR Instagram: @harlem_and_moscow

Support us and share this Copy/Pasteable Social Media Copy to help spread the word on IG/TWITTER/FB:

Please support Harlem & Moscow, a Non-binary, LGBTQIA+, Black-written/directed/produced play that spotlights stories from the Harlem Renaissance to come to life, and consider donating to their Seed & Spark campaign: https://seedandspark.com/fund/harlem-moscow?token=bfe3267e1fca6b77cc4bd958bcb38f76e654589d6c4ad680291abf52dd98a753

Follow our Journey on Instagram: @harlem_and_moscow

PLAYWRIGHT SPOTLIGHT: ALLE MIMS

I am a cultural archeologist and political satirist who using humor to humanize those long gone. My writing unearths buried histories and builds joyful fantasies populated with people like me. By reaching into the past for answers, my work often only returns with more questions. Regardless, I find comfort in knowing that even 100 years ago, people were still people. Their problems and worries are the same as ours, but thankfully, so is their joy and hope. Thank you for your incredible support, and we can't bring this project to life without you— AM

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COVID SAFETY PLAN:

As per standard required process for all Columbia University Theater productions – issuing our approved COVID Safety plan in place as facilitated through the school. We will have an onsite Covid Compliance Officer, and following all state/union directed Covid protocols for New York State and up to code current collegiate educational institutions.