Kwanzaa Musical

January 2, 2006 - page 2 ~ Ramell Jones lights a candle during the Third Theatre Troupe and African American Drama Company’s production of the musical playlet Kwanzaa by Geanora Bonner [Vaughn Fuller, Charles Mims & Patsy Moore] on Sunday at the Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno, CA. - San Mateo County Times

Lake Buena Vista, FL - August 27, 2008 ~ Serving as the Marvin Sims Teacher’s Institute Luncheon entertainment on Monday, August 4, 2008 the African American Drama Company’s The Third Theatre Troupe performed its musical Kwanzaa playlet at Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL. The only performance presented at this the final Black Theatre Network Annual Conference, AADC’s San Francisco Bay Area based traveling children’s theatre troupe had its final preview at BTN the day before premiering its 2008 Kwanzaa production at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland Galaxy Palace Theatre. Making up the largest gathering of BTN’s 22nd Annual Conference, attendees responded with vigor to seven musical numbers plus a scene performed by the above cast of nine (9) girls age 10-17. Directed by Phillip E. Walker (the Black Theatre Network’s first ever Assistant Treasurer) Kwanzaa is available to help bring a spark to your town’s Kwanzaa celebration. To book your own performance log on to: www.KwanzaaMusical.com or call toll free at (877) 376-0224.

BTN Kwanzaa 2008 CAST from left to right
TOP: Kristen Gipson, Ysabela Smith, Courtney Hitt & Daytra Jackson
BOTTOM: Hannah Travis, Feline Clever, Alexandra Bringer, Angela Hsu & Miki Rai - Black Theatre Network

Palo Alto, CA - November 17, 2008 ~ What Cleveland, OH’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum calls “an amazing group of child actors” will perform Kwanzaa throughout Downtown Palo Alto, CA 94306 on Thursday, December 4, 2008 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Presented by Ladyalibug Events, FREE performances kick off Winter Wander Land 2008 at various Downtown business locations. To quote president elect Barack Obama, this is an example of “the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled . . .” in that the playlet’s multicultural cast and diverse Downtown Palo Alto audience will gather for this pre Kwanzaa celebration.
The Third Theatre Troupe (TTTT) produces this half hour musical, with a number performed at each of eight Downtown Palo Alto business locations. Dressed in Kwanzaa clothing, its young performers sing, dance and act to share knowledge about the significance and history of Kwanzaa, a celebration that is neither political nor religious, and is not a substitute for Christmas. Kwanzaa, celebrated annually December 26 - January 1, is a unique African American holiday week that focuses on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce and self-improvement. The seven principles of Kwanzaa are: Umoja [unity], Kujichaguila [self-determination], Ujima [collective work and responsibility], Ujamaa [collective economics], Nia [purpose], Kuumba [creativity] and Imani [faith]. The play does a song or scene on each principle plus a cumulating number on Kwanzaa in general.
San Jose based African American Drama Company (AADC) is the world’s only theatre dedicated exclusively to African American history. AADC’s thirty-two (32) years of touring helped to establish the now famous Black History Month. The only fine arts group of any hue to have performed in every one of the United States (and it has played each State at least twice), this African American theatre company was the second theatre ever to have performed at the National Black Theatre Festival and the first to perform a one-person show there. For more information, visit www.AfricanAmericanDramaCompany.org.
A children’s performing group, The Third Theatre Troupe is a five (5) year old joint project between AADC and Third Baptist Church’s Being Black is Being Smart (BBiBS) ministry. Former San Francisco Supervisor Dr. Amos C. Brown is the Third Baptist Church pastor. Having been featured on PAX-TV and also having previously played North Carolina’s National Black Theatre Festival plus this year’s 22nd annual Black Theatre Network conference (www.BlackTheatreNetwork.com), TTTT premiered Kwanzaa 2008 in August at Walt Disney World, Florida. With its traveling schedule kept up to date at www.KwanzaaTour.com, following this Downtown Palo Alto performance, The Troupe plays throughout the Bay Area and America. Find information on each presenting organization at www.Kwanzaa2008.com.
Kwanzaa was written by Geanora Bonner with Charles Mims, Patsy Moore and Vaughn Fuller. The production is directed by Phillip E. Walker who will be seen in the up coming feature film “MILK” with Sean Penn. Walker’s bio is kept up to date at www.PhillipEWalker.com.
Contact: Alison Williams, Ladyalibug Productions (650) 387-7048 ladyalibug@gmail.com
##### - Downtown Palo Alto Business & Professional Association

Remarkable performance by San Francisco theater troupe will
highlight free festivities

Cleveland, OH - November 2007 ~ An amazing group of child actors will travel from San Francisco to Cleveland this holiday season to remind us that no matter who we are: big or small, young or old, black or white, the world can be a much friendlier place when we appreciate others for just being themselves. The eighth annual Kuumba Festival at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum promises to be a moving celebration of kuumba (the Swahili word for creativity), which is the sixth principle of Kwanzaa. This event is part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's Community Festival Series, sponsored by Target and KeyBank.
Kuumba Festival is free and open to the public. The centerpiece of the celebration will be the performance at noon on the Museum's Main Stage of an unforgettable musical play, "Kwanzaa," by Third Baptist Church of San Francisco-based The Third Theatre Troupe, a multiracial children's performance group. The play is produced by San Jose's African American Drama Company, which is billed as the nation's most extensively toured fine arts organization.
Dressed in Kwanzaa clothing, the young performers of The Third Theatre Troupe sing, dance and act to teach people about the history and significance of Kwanzaa, a celebration that is neither political nor religious, and is not a substitute for Christmas. Kwanzaa, celebrated December 26-January 1, is a unique African American celebration that focuses on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce and self-improvement. In addition to kuumba, the principles of Kwanzaa are umoja (unity), kujichaguila (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (collective economics, nia (purpose), and imani (faith).
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is especially honored to welcome the African American Drama Company and The Third Theatre Troupe, who will help us not only to celebrate the principle of creativity, but also to commemorate Kwanzaa itself.
The world's only black drama organization dedicated exclusively to African American history, the African American Drama Company's 30 years of touring helped to establish the now famous Black History Month. The only such group of any hue to have performed in every one of the United States (and they have played each state at least twice), this African American theater company was the second theater company ever to have performed at the National Black Theater Festival and the first to perform a one-person show there. For more information, visit www.africanamericandramacompany.org.
Since 2005, The Third Theatre Troupe has been traveling around the country and has been featured on PAX TV, bringing the message of Kwanzaa to audiences made up of people of all ages, of all walks of life. The multicultural cast features children who represent all the world's continents except Antarctica.
"Kwanzaa" was written by Geanora Bonner with Charles Mims, Patsy Moore and Vaughn Fuller.
There is no charge for participation in Kuumba Festival, but regular admission prices apply for visitors who would like to tour the Museum on that day. Cleveland-area residents whose zip codes begin with 440, 441, 442 and 443 receive $5 off adult admission when they show their ID. Visit www.rockhall.com/cleveland for details.
About the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is the nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world about the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music. It carries out this mission both through its operation of a world-class museum that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form and through its library and archives as well as its educational programs.
The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On W - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum

by Phillip E. Walker, Director
BBiBS The Third Theatre Troupe’s Kwanzaa musical ended this season’s tour with a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum Kuumba Festival performance on Saturday, December 8, 2007. With its first 2007 preview performance at Third Baptist Church’s Friday Night Live, additional San Francisco performances were given at Victoria Manor and opened the San Francisco Zoo’s Reindeer Romp.
With a professional photo slide show shot at it’s Old Town Los Gatos preview, San Jose 2007 appearances included: Santana Row, the African American Community Service Agency and Children’s Discovery Museum (supported, in part, by a grant from the City of San Jose).
The 2007 Kwanzaa playlet was assisted by Dr. Ethel Pitts Walker. In addition to life long Third Baptist Church member Daytra Jackson, the Cleveland cast included [see thumbnail photo from left to right]: Armando DeLaHerran, Angela Hsu, Muriel Donahue, Krystal DeLaHerran, Nick Ben, Terrell Sloan, Rachel Perryman & Matt LiJon.
The play plans to open Kwanzaa week 2008 at Chicago’s DuSable Museum. It hopes to premiere next year at Florida’s DisneyWorld, as well as play Washington DC’s Kennedy Center, plus end the 2008 Tour in Hawaii.
Auditions for the 2008 cast will take place June 21st & 28th. Contact the African American Drama Company at (415) 378-0064. - Third Baptist Church View

1/2/2006 - [The] Third Theatre Troupe members Zerena Shaw, Melina Polk and Marcus Polk perform a “Kwanzaa” play at the Shops at Tanforan in San Mateo on Sunday. - San Francisco Examiner

A multi-cultural celebration, PIER 39's Holiday Harmony presented by Discover Network, will feature Bay Area groups performing seasonal favorites from around the world on Sunday, November 20, 2005. PIER 39's majestic tree, adorned with 400 glistening ornaments, 500 multi-colored bows and 2,000 twinkling lights will be lit at 5:30pm in the Entrance Plaza. Enchanting entertainment includes:

KWANZAA CELEBRATION
The African American Drama Company and The Third Theatre Troupe debuts "Kwanzaa", a musical that teaches the seven African American principles of holiday celebration. - San Francisco's PIER 39

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

PREVIEW 11/10/2007
Milpitas, CA - Angela Hsu has been a very busy girl lately, and she has to struggle with school (Notre Dame) and rehearsals for Kwanzaa.
This production shows the audience a different culture with which they might not be familiar. At the end of the month, this show will premiere at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose`. Afterwards, these children will start their national tour!
This young girl, Angela Hsu, was born in America but speaks fluent Chinese; her parents are originally from Taiwan. During the newspaper interview Angela told the reporter how she has a passion for singing and acting. So, four years ago, she started professional voice training from a private coach. Then last year, Phillip E. Walker selected her to play a role in the musical production Kwanzaa. Now, she chooses to continue. Currently, there are 15 members in the group, ranging from ages eight to sixteen. Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrated in Africa from December 26th to the 1st of January. This production shows great morals such as family, community service and working together. Angela quotes, “I joined this Troupe last year for fun. However, this year as a singing coach, I feel as if I have a chance to stand up and be a leader for the group – also, being a Chinese girl, it shows how the group is so diverse and that’s how this holiday should be”. . .

REVIEW 11/25/2007
Milpitas, CA It’s been a wonderful week at the Children’s Discovery Museum! There are many races and ages here to perform a cultural show www.KwanzaaMusical.com.
This is the third annual production of Kwanzaa and this year the singing coach is a Chinese girl named Angela Hsu from Notre Dame High School. Yesterday, after their performance, they grabbed the audience’s attention and fulfilled the audience’s curiosity. In this show you can see the joy and love of kwanzaa.
This young girl, Angela Hsu, was born in America but speaks fluent Chinese; her parents are originally from Taiwan. During the newspaper interview Angela told the reporter how she has a singing and acting passion. So, four years ago, she began professional voice training from a private coach.
Then last year, Phillip E. Walker selected her to play a role in the musical production Kwanzaa. Now, she chooses to continue.
Currently, there are 15 members in the group, ranging from ages eight to sixteen. Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrated in Africa from December 26th to the 1st of January. This production shows great morals such as family, community service and working together. Angela quotes, “I joined this Troupe last year for fun. However, this year as a singing coach, I feel as if I have a chance to stand up and be a leader for the group – also, being a Chinese girl, it shows how the group is so diverse and that’s how this holiday should be”.
Phillip E. Walker, the director of this production tells us how this is already the third year this show has performed. He remembers from last year how Angela was just another cast member. However, he saw a potential leader in her so this is the reason why he chose her as singing coach. He believes that Angela is very hard working.
On November 24th and the 25th the production played twice at 1:30 and at 3:30.
Phillip E. Walker is currently trying to arrange for www. The Third Theatre Troupe .com to perform in New York and Washington, DC; he hopes Kwanzaa will be able to play all around nationally. #### - Sing Tao Newspaper

DECEMBER 28, 2006 ~ B Section Page 1

MULTIRACIAL TROUPE EDUCATES, PERFORMS AT CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY MUSEUM

2006 KWANZAA CAST
Sarah Gramajo, Melina Polk, Marcus Polk, Angela Hsu & Jebin Perumatty (Nick Ben)
Heidi Cheung, Ace Payne, Kelly Olszewski, Zion Payne & Cierra Bivins


by Kim Vo
Director Phillip E. Walker was searching for a suitable children’s program when he stumbled across a Kwanzaa musical. It fit the bill: smart, lyrical and able to keep kids busy during the winter break.
But as his multiracial cast began singing about concepts like umoja - or unity - Walker was struck by the music’s and holiday’s deeper meaning.
“When I hear it coming out of the these kids’ mouths, there were times at rehearsal I had to hold back tears,” said Walker, artistic director of the African American Drama Company. “I know that these kids will keep this and retain it in their lives. That’s revolutionary.”
Walker’s gestures toward cultural revolution were on display Wednesday as children from The Third Theatre Troupe danced and sang at the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose. The nine children spilled out into the museum’s small auditorium, where the audience heard them sing: "Umoja is unity, you and me, Living forever in love and harmony - Unity.
Both the performers and audience members reflected the Bay Area’s diversity, despite Kwanzaa’s roots in the African-American community. A California State University professor created the non-religious holiday in 1966, during the black power movement, to reaffirm African heritage.
Kwanzaa celebrates family, community and culture. The name derives from a Swahili phrase for the “first fruits” of the harvest.
From Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, families light red, black and green candles and reflect on seven different themes: Umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith).
Mary Bivins of Oakland began celebrating Kwanzaa this year, after her granddaughter Cierra joined the Kwanzaa musical and “took it to heart.” Though the holiday has been around for four decades, “it’s nothing [with which] we had grown up,” Bivins said.

KWANZAA | Holiday musical entertains, educate | page 2 of 2

Now the family has been lighting candles nightly and plans to mark the celebration every year. It makes sense, coming right after Christmas, to continue the focus on family and community, she said.
The musical is the extent of Kelly Olszewski’s Kwanzaa celebration. The San Jose teen admits her family was initially confused about the pale redhead’s involvement in a traditionally African-American holiday, but she felt the “morals and certain principles reach over to all races.”
But it has special resonance for the black community, said Vince McCastle, who brought his 12 year old son, Martin, to Wednesday’s show. McCastle recently met his uncle and learned about the family’s Southern roots – the days spent working the plantations, the pithy, wise sayings. He sees a connection between that recent trip to Georgia and a Wednesday afternoon spent learning about Kwanzaa.
“The base of it is always African culture,” he said, “and how it’s lived out in the times of slavery and how it’s still lived out without people being conscious of it.”
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Contact Kim Vo at ko @Mercury News .com or (408) 920-5719 - San Jose Mercury News