LIFECYCLE OF A BLACKBERRY presented by Looking for Lilith Theatre Company

LIFECYCLE OF A BLACKBERRY is a new Looking for Lilith work-in-development starring Morgan M. Younge. This original devised one-woman show honors the stories of Black Appalachian women and girls. It uses as inspiration the books Blackberries, Blackberries, Birds of Opulence, and Perfect Black, written by Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal E. Wilkinson, founding member of the Affrilachian Poet movement. This show offers a rare opportunity for audiences to get to see three different types of books - poetry, short stories, and novel - combined into one theatrical experience. Wilkinson’s works are centered around the black experience, feminism, and art. Her words in storytelling create dynamic pictures of women's lives, her characters make you believe you know these women, and her stories have the power to captivate and connect people from all walks of life. At a Staged Reading of the first 10 minutes of the script in January, audiences described Morgan’s performance as excellent, genuine, heartfelt, tender, evocative, and nuanced. One wrote: “Her performance was punctuated with appreciative laughter and sympathetic sighs as she deftly moved from one character to another with ease and an evident dedication to portraying the full humanity of each character.” Head playwright and performer, Morgan M. Younge, Berea College alum, worked to create this new play with a devising team including LFL members Tiera Bowman, Meg Caudill, Ebony Jordan, Jennifer Thalman Kepler, Karole Spangler, Shannon Woolley Allison (Devising Mentor), guest deviser Jasemine Reed, and with additional contribution from the LFL Company Ensemble. Keith McGill will be directing and LFL company member Ebony Jordan will be assistant directing. Also joining the production team are Stage Manager Megan Meyer, Set and Projections Designer Alonzo Ramont, Costume Designer Tiera Bowman, Sound Designer Alex Biscardi, Lighting Designer Lindsay Krupski (assisted by Jay Marie Padilla-Hayter), Props Master Krasel Morales and Production Manager Shannon Woolley Allison. “I believe that this work is going to be powerful and uplifting to those in the Affrilachian and Appalachian communities. It’s time to hear these stories, to learn about these women and the lives they’ve led. The audience will go home with a better understanding of family, love, and what it takes to keep going and to keep striving.” – Morgan M. Younge, LFL Company Member, Head Deviser and Performer We know that by lifting up these voices and sharing these unique stories through theatre, we can fight stereotypes, reflect some of the most under-heard stories of the Appalachian region, and create a powerful ripple effect of empathy and understanding. Through this shared experience, we can build a stronger community rooted in trust, equity, and justice. TICKETS & INFORMATION March 21, 7:30pm-9:00pm March 22, 7:30pm-9:00pm March 23, 7:30pm-9:00pm March 24, 2:00pm - 4:00pm Recommended Age: 18 & up CW/TW: Sexual content (including rape) and discussion of mental illness The MeX Theater at The Kentucky Center 501 West Main Street Louisville, KY 40202. For more info: lookingforlilith.org/lifecycleofablackberry Lifecycle of a Blackberry was made possible with funding by the New England Foundation for the Arts' National Theater Project, with lead funding from the Mellon Foundation and additional support from the Doris Duke Foundation. The creation process was funded in part by a grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women.

Event Links

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2270820-0

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2270820-2

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