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Leonardo!

Minneapolis, MN

Jan 25–Feb 16
The Magic City

Chicago, IL

Mar 01–Mar 02
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Costa Mesa, CA

Mar 28–Apr 06
Leonardo!

Washington, D.C.

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No Blue Memories

THE LIFE OF GWENDOLYN BROOKS

No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks brings to life the story of one of Chicago’s most beloved figures. She was an icon, a poet laureate, and a Pulitzer Prize winner—but she was also a treasured educator and mentor to the countless writers and children who knew her as their very own “Miss Brooks.” Weaving together poetry, storytelling, sound design, original music, and striking visuals, No Blue Memories is an exploration of Brooks’s beloved city and a story of how she navigated identity, craft, and politics over the course of one of the most remarkable careers in American literary history. The performance combines intricate paper puppetry, live actors working in shadow, and an original score for an unforgettable multi-media experience.

No Blue Memories was commissioned by the Poetry Foundation for the Brooks Centenary and premiered in Chicago in November, 2017.

Premiered November, 2017

Commissioned by the Poetry Foundation
Written by Eve L. Ewing and Nate Marshall
Directed by Sarah Fornace
Music Composed by Jamila Woods and Ayanna Woods

Produced by

Po Fo

Credits

Commissioned by the Poetry Foundation

Written by Eve L. Ewing and Nate Marshall

Directed by Sarah Fornace

Music Composed by Jamila Woods and Ayanna Woods

Production

Music Direction by Ayanna Woods

Storyboards by Drew Dir

Puppet Design by Drew Dir and Lizi Breit

Sound Design by Ben Kauffman

Lighting Design by Claire Chrzan

Costume and Wig Design by Mieka van der Ploeg

Sound Engineered by Mike Usrey and Kim Kozak

Puppeteers

N. LaQuis Harkins (Gwendolyn Brooks/Puppeteer)

Rasaan Booker (Haki R. Madhubuti/Puppeteer)

Felix Mayes (Puppeteer)

Jyreika Guest (Puppeteer)

Eunice Woods (Puppeteer)

Musicians

Kai Black (Drums)

Alexis Lombre (Piano, Vocals)

Ryan Nyther (Trumpet)

Randle Watson (Trumpet)

Ayanna Woods (Bass, Vocals)

Jamila Woods (Vocals, Guitar)

Ben Kauffman (Live Sound Effects)

Understudies

Charlee Cotton (Puppeteer)

Sharaina L. Turnage (Puppeteer)

Jeffrey Paschal (Puppeteer)


Ami Burton (Piano, Vocals)

Isaiah Oby (Piano, Vocals)

Aaron Washington (Trumpet)

Kamaria Woods (Vocals, Sound Effects)

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