Still reflecting on last night’s Peabody Awards Ceremony! Quinta Brunson, Mel Brooks, Reservation Dogs, The Hidden History of Racism in NYC… and STAR TREK, and more and more.
Aymar is a juror for this prestigious award, and it was great to join him for an evening of celebration and inspiration. Congrats to the awardees and the whole team behind this endeavor.
Plus, I got to walk that red carpet !! (Thanks for the look @devrnil !!)
We are living through such trying times on so many fronts, but 2023 provided opportunities to make some great memories! I’m grateful to have health, friends and family, and the freedom to be my full self…. More reflection at the link in my bio…
On my way to St. Louis MO for the 37th annual Black Theatre Network Conference!
Excited to reconnect with old friends and colleagues and make new connections.
The theme this year: Afrofuturism! So you know I had to get involved.
I’ll be presenting in person in the late afternoon on Friday, joined virtually by three directors I love.
More info at the link in bio!
Proud to stand with my friends and colleagues in the Writers Guild of America.
Creative labor is LABOR. And it’s inspiring to see so many unions stepping forward to stand with the Guild. The demands here are reasonable and would create better outcomes for everyone (including the producers and streamers on the other side of the negotiating table). #WGAStrong
Chicago Performs is THIS WEEK at the MCA!
My first event is Thursday’s 6 PM Joy is the Question Conversation with the other featured artists in the fest: Bimbola Akinbola and Erin Kilmurray, moderated by Tempestt Hazel.
Then WATER RIOT IN BETA’s one night only debut presentation will be this Friday at 7:30 at the MCA.
I couldn’t be more excited! This cast is wondrous! Aaron Holland, Goldgrrl, Jasmine Robertson and Mz. Honeywater are bringing their own unique perspective to the show and it’s an electrifying mix!
Mike Przygoda has composed some AMAZING music to set this story into song!
Casey Robards Music Directing, Jerrell Henderson Directing… Looks by Sal Yvat. Myra Boone managing production. And the band — featuring Meika Sha and Steve Corley — is bopping, all supported by a stellar tech and management team at the MCA!
We’ve been rehearsing for a few weeks now and the show is really coming together.
We’re gonna Rock it Out on Fridayll!
Be There!
Check the link in bio for more! Love my new portrait by @jansen.b_ !
water riot in beta is my latest live performance work.
it is envisioned as a cyber punk rock opera.
been working with the multi-talented @mikeprzmatic on the music.
we've gathered an amazing ensemble of chicago-based artists for the upcoming presentation Sept 16.
part of Chicago Performs 2022 at the MCA, alongside work from Erin Kilmurray and Bimbola Akinbola.
link in bio for more...
This past week was a creative inflection point for Water Riot in Beta a Cyber Punk Rock Opera.
I’ve been building the musical world with the awesome-sauce composer and multi-instrumentalist Mike Przygoda!
For the last week we’ve had some amazing musicians in the mix as we jammed on some of the core music. June 9th we shared what we’ve got so far with a limited audience at an Open Rehearsal hosted by the MCA.
Save the Date -- Sept 16th -- Water Riot will be coming to life!!
SHOUT OUT TO THE TEAM
Mike Przygoda, Composer
Aaron Holland – Lead Vocals
Nu Moon (Nancy) Lead Vocals and Guitar
Lawrence Baker – Backing Vocals and Guitar
Myra Boone, Producer
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Tara Aisha Willis, Curator
Laura Paige Kyber, Curatorial Assistant
Matt Sharp, Sam Clapp and the whole tech team at the MCA!
Yes, it’s once again the Day of Derek!
I look forward to celebrating and welcome all the well wishes on the platforms today (and always)!
Here’s a few specific things I invite you to consider as a Birthday Gift for yours truly:
Watch the indie-sci-fi pilot I co-created on OTV | Open Television, and share it with three people you know! (link in bio)
Upset about the world? Support a local non-profit of your choosing. The ACLU, Chicago Reader, Morehouse College, and various arts orgs get my coins. (Volunteering is also an option with many.)
Save the Date: Sept 15/16th should be a special McPhatter Live Performance Project moment, but I can’t share the details yet.
yes, yes... I MIGHT have a cameo in the pilot episode of @hivetheseries
Check it out this weekend!
(link in bio.)
And don't forget to subscribe to @weareotv for more awesome work from diverse, independent creative teams! (Get the app!)
I’m so excited to finally share the indie pilot for @hivetheseries publicly!
(link in bio).
For several years, I’ve collaborated with filmmakers Stephanie Jeter and Tim Maupin to co-create a unique near-future world, with interconnected narratives informed by complex issues of social justice, technology and culture. That’s the vision for Hive the series.
And with our indie pilot, TRACE, we’re exploring freedom of expression and creativity in the age of algorithms and artificial intelligence.
Couldn’t be happier for this pilot to find a home with @weareotv .
Tremendous gratitude and pride to be at this moment. Thank you and congratulations to the cast, crew, producers, donors, supporters, and partners. Onwards we go!
