Uptown Collective has announced the conclusion of the inaugural Renaissance Residency, an annual program designed to nurture and develop emerging and established playwrights and screenwriters. The residency, which ran from June to September 2024, builds on Harlem’s rich cultural legacy that flourished during the Harlem Renaissance, a period that produced artists of color including
the works remain an integral part of today’s cultural fabric.

The Renaissance Residency captures the essence of this historical period, with a focus on writers of color and the literary movement that was at the heart of the Harlem Renaissance. Artists are the living griots, the shapers of cultural memory who both document history and guide us toward new futures. The residency brought together five talented playwrights and screenwriters for monthly sessions, providing them with the support and mentorship needed to prepare their works for the stage.

This year’s artists in residence, Daniel Koa Beaty and Susan Sojourna Collier, are both
The authors are recognized for their contributions to theater and screenwriting. Daniel Beaty is a celebrated actor, singer, writer, and educator known for his powerful work exploring themes of identity and social justice. Susan Sojourna Collier is an accomplished writer and producer with extensive experience in television and film, and is currently an adjunct professor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she mentors aspiring filmmakers.

The residency will culminate in a play reading on Saturday, September 14, 2024, where the residents’ works will be presented in an event called “Uptown Rising.” The event will feature 20-minute excerpts from their works, performed by professional actors, and will be followed by a discussion session moderated by the playwrights, led by Nissy Aya.

The event will be led by Michael Green, a veteran director and producer with over 15 years of theatre experience, particularly in shining a light on the Black experience through thought-provoking and educational productions. Uptown Collective is proud to announce that five talented playwrights have been selected for the inaugural Renaissance Residency in 2024. Representing the next generation of voices in theatre, these playwrights are:

• Taylor Blackman is a writer, director, producer, and actor from Chicago, Illinois. His written credits include To Infinity (Alfred P. Sloan/EST Commission), It’s Karen, B*** (Fire This Time Festival Commission/PBS ALLARTS), and Riverside Drive (Hi-ARTS Residency). “Silicone Valley” is a comedy parody play that follows journalist Eboni Flowers as she investigates a wave of dildo violence sweeping the United States following a mass shooting in Amarillo, Texas. Taylor’s acting credits include collaborations with prestigious companies such as Roundabout Theatre, The Public Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, CBS, STARZ, Comedy Central, and more.
• Evy Hall is a New York-based writer who has worked on television and film projects such as Sesame Street, CBS’s “East New York,” and many others. Her writing focuses on ordinary life and people to reveal the extraordinary in the mundane. Her work, “While Waiting,” captures a fleeting moment between six strangers as they shelter from the rain in a corner store.
• Kyra Davis is a Southern-born, New York-based actor, producer, and writer. Her work focuses on Black, Southern, and cis-fem voices, exploring both darkness and joy. Her play, “SugarHill,” explores the complexities of sexual assault, family loyalty, and moral compass, following the story of Alvalee, her sisters, and their stepmother. With deep Southern accents and wisdom beyond their years, the young women of “SugarHill” navigate a world where some women enable abuse, while others fight to protect and heal.
• Naomi Lorrain is a New York City-based playwright and actress. She was last seen on stage as Jordan in JORDANS at the Public Theater. She was a member of the 2023 Page 73 Writers Group and a writer for the 2022 Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase. Her play “How to Roll a Blunt” was a finalist in the National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. It is a witty exploration of Black art, Black love, and Black excellence. It examines themes of respectability, authenticity, and Black artistry, reminiscent of the Harlem Renaissance, while also asking questions about the expectations placed on Black artists by both Black and white audiences.
• Davon Williams is a two-time Anthem Award winner and is currently an MFA candidate at Yale University’s David Geffen School of Drama. He has received a “Best Play” award from the Philly Urban Theatre Festival and has been recognized as an “Artist to Watch” by WRTI. Davon’s work, “Black Facade,” is a comedic exploration of Black theater activism. Set at a Philadelphia performing arts school, the play delves into the chaos sparked by a controversial blackface performance, weaving together zany interviews, confrontations, and surreal musical interludes to highlight the complexities of being Black in theater.

“Harlem has always been a source of cultural expression, and the Renaissance Residency is our way of continuing that tradition by providing emerging playwrights of color with the platform and resources they need to tell their stories,” said Desiree Elder, Founder of the Uptown Collective. “We are excited to see how these talented artists will contribute to Harlem’s rich tapestry of artistic heritage.” The Renaissance Residency marks a significant investment in the future of theater and screenwriting, ensuring that the voices of playwrights of color continue to thrive and shape the cultural landscape.

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