Milwaukee's Black Nativity's Theme is 'For the Culture' to Pay Homage to the Black Community
Director of the Milwaukee’s 2021 Black Nativity, Dimonte Henning. (Picture by Lily Shea Photography/Carvd N Stone)
This winter marks the sixth year Black Arts MKE will host Langston Hughes’ play “Black Nativity”, and this time it has a new theme and new director. Although the pandemic was hard on everyone, it seemed to hit the Black community harder, especially if you mix in the health disparities, racial injustices and more. Milwaukee Black Nativity Director Dimonte Henning understood the toll the pandemic took on us, so through this play he wanted to bring hope and fun back into the Black community.
Black Arts MKE’s mission is to increase the availability and quality of African American arts and culture.
“I wanted to do something as a gift for the Black community. I wanted us to feel joyful and bring that jubilant feeling back into our community, and that’s what Black Nativity is about this year,” Henning said in a video interview.
This year’s play is meant to be a reminder to the community that even when you feel alone to celebrate life because we’re still here.
Black Nativity will run from December 9-12, 2021.
To keep up with the theme of For the Culture, the set takes place in Milwaukee instead of Bethlehem, but it will stay true to Hughes’ original 1961 play by having poetry, music, and dance of the African diaspora with an all-Black, Milwaukee area-based cast.
Along with a new director and new theme, there’s also a new band, new choreography, a new cast, new costumes, and an original song by music producer Antoine Reynolds, Sr.
“We are coming with the sauce,” said Christopher Gilbert, nationally-known dancer and choreographer of Milwaukee’s Black Nativity. “COVID has done so much to us and now just to be back out again and be alive, you just want to bring new life to what you’re doing, so it’s just building a new foundation for the show,” Gilbert said in a video interview.
The 2021 Black Nativity crew practicing. (Picture by Lily Shea Photography)
As a past actor in the play, Henning is honored and excited to be heading this year’s production; Henning played Joseph in 2018.
“It’s a full circle moment,” he said." “I had no idea I would be in this position.
Henning held his first director position in 2014 and says he will continue to use his platform to speak up for what he believes is right.
“If I don’t do it then who will?” asked Henning. “I use art as activism and it has been very fulfilling to me.”
Black Nativity will air from December 9-12, 2021 at at the Marcus Center's Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, 929 N. Water St.
To purchase your Black Nativity tickets, click here.