ROSE McCLENDON: Black on the Great White Way or Vinie Burrows, in her newest one-character play, resurrects the legendary actress, Rose McClendon. Rose McClendon was the premier African-American actress of the Harlem Renaissance; yet, there are no biographies, books or plays, and few, if any, scholarly dissertations about her. McClendon was compared, in her heyday, to the renowned Italian actress Eleonora Duse, and often referred to as the "’sepia’ Barrymore." But, she had been lost in the annals of theatre history until Vinie told the story. WALK TOGETHER CHILDREN: the Black scene in prose, poetry and song Hailed as a classic in Black theatre, this chronicle of the African-American experience uses the poetry, prose, and the songs of Black writers to tell the epic story of raw survival after the auction block and to present day struggles and triumphs of Afro-descendant peoples in the United States. SISTER! SISTER! A celebration of the joys and labors of women of all ages, backgrounds, and religions in villages and cities world-wide. From Soweto to Appalachia, this solo theatre piece is a stunning mosaic of testimonies and narratives of and about women. - written by men and women. A CHILD IS BORN This solo show had its premiere at the United Nations for their International Year of the Child. (1986). In turn, humorous, tender, and dramatic, this collage evokes memories of infancy, childhood, adolescence and young adulthood.. DAUGHTERS OF THE SUN Dramatic vignettes of women from Africa, the Caribbean, South Pacific, England, and Australia. With searing, bold, traditional and “mother tongue” language, Vinie Burrows, who has been dubbed the "Queen of Black Theatre" stirs up moods, feelings, atmosphere and vibrations of women from Africa and the Diaspora. AFRICA FIRE! Wrapped in colorful African dress and authentic jewelry, this superb actress magically re-tells traditional folktales, legends, and myths. Interludes of movement, song and audience participation create an unforgettable experience for audiences of children and adults and scholars. SONG OF LAWINO by the Ugandan poet, OKOT p'BITEK. A lyrical, impassioned, yet slyly satiric lament of an African village woman, who berates her university-educated husband for recklessly renouncing all the customs and traditions of his people. A master percussionist along wiht a multi media visual environment transports the audience to a traditional African village.
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THE REPERTOIRE To supplement her work as an actress, Vinie developed her repertoire of one-woman shows, including Africa Fire!, a collection of traditional African folk tales. Vinie assemblrd these stories on her many trips to the continent, where she learned Griot --the traditional art of narrative storytelling. Vinie plays to audiences of all ages and nationalities, who respond with wild enthusiasm. |
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