Shasparay Lighteard, a double major at the UW in Theatre and African American studies from Austin, Texas, has been serving as producer and creator of the inaugural Black Arts Matter interdisciplinary arts festival running March 3-9 in venues across Madison. Featured events in the festival include the Kathie Rasmussen Theater’s production of Alice Childress’ “Trouble in Mind,” a screening of Spike Lee’s explosive film “Bamboozled,” “Black and Ugly as Ever” a one-person choreopoem by Porsha O that explores what it means to move through reality as a queer, fat, dark-skinned woman; discussion panels, and a poetry slam competition featuring performers from across the country. All events except “Trouble in Mind” are free to the public.
For info on the festival visit https://bamfestival.wixsite.com/madison
Here is an article from the Isthmus featuing Shasparay’s work: https://isthmus.com/arts/stage/black-arts-matter-festival-shasparay-lighteard/
And from madison.com https://madison.com/wsj/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/uw-student-launches-black-arts-matter-fest/article_dcea6fe6-0518-57b4-8eeb-a5470fff55c1.html
The Daily Cardinal feature is here https://www.dailycardinal.com/article/2019/03/madison-prepares-to-celebrate-citys-first-black-arts-matter-festival