About Cultural Classics Exchange Series

In 2022, ICTC debuted its inaugural Cultural Classics Exchange Series, a free reading Series of plays and lore, connecting WNY cultures through the lenses of the dramatic and language arts. This Series includes Speaker-led discussions to foster understanding and inclusion of cultures throughout the region.

For its first installment, ICTC presented, in collaboration with Raíces Theatre Company, Los Soles Truncos by René Marqués, at The Belle Center on Monday, February 28th. Los Soles Truncos or The Fanlights is a historical drama by Puerto Rican playwright René Marqués. Hortensia, Emilia, and Inés are three sisters who have suffered not only the loss of their closest relatives but also their family heritage. They live poorly and are locked up in the only house they have left, on Calle de Cristo, and fear losing their home. Tragedies abound with a rich text, whose hero and villain are time. The reading, performed entirely in Spanish, was directed by Sheila M. López and features Victoria Pérez, María Pérez, Valentina Marulanda, and Rolando Gómez. Dr. Margarita Vargas, Associate Professor Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the University at Buffalo, led a moderated discussion after the performance.

Next, ICTC collaborated with Director Yao Kahlil Newkirk of Paul Robeson Theatre to present selections from The New Negro edited by Alain Locke on Saturday, May 7th, 2022 at 3 pm at the African American Cultural Center. Alain Locke, the godfather of The Harlem Renaissance edited this collection of fiction, essays, and poetry on African and African American literature and art, which was published in 1925. This book is considered by critics and literary scholars as the text that defined the movement. Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction essays by writers including Zora Neal Hurston, Countee Cullen, Jean Toomer, Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, Eric Walrond, and Locke’s title essay “The New Negro” are presented in this anthology. It is a text that showed defiance rather than acceptance of the status quo. It sought to fight against stereotypes, and cause political, social, and artistic change while transforming the views of black identity. Marshall Maxwell, Sandra Clay, Betty Bowen, ZaNiyah Upshur, and Yao Kahlil Newkirk performed at the event with lighting by James McAdory.

The final installment of the Series took place at ICTC’s home, The Andrews Theatre, for a preview performance of The Onion Game by Bryan Delaney on Thursday, June 2 at 7:30pm. Delaney, who is also ICTC’s Playwright-in-Residence, led a moderated discussion after the performance.

Each event in this Series is free and open to all. Contact the ICTC Box Office to make a reservation at BoxOffice@irishclassical.com or by calling (716) 853-4282.

Event Sponsor

Up Next: YALLA BITCH!
A Night of Words and Music
By Lorna C. Hill and Curtis Lovell 

The Irish Classical Theatre Company (ICTC) is delighted to share the next installment of its Free and Open to the Public Cultural Classics Exchange Series: YALLA BITCH! A Night of Words and Music by Lorna C. Hill and Curtis Lovell. An Open Rehearsal with an Artist Q&A will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2023, at the Lorna C. Hill Theater, 429 Plymouth Avenue #2, Ujima’s home; and a performance will follow at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15, 2023, at The Andrews Theatre at 625 Main Street, ICTC’s home.

The event will feature YALLA BITCH!, a one-woman show by Ujima’s late Founder and Former Artistic Director Lorna C. Hill, coupled with music and poetry by Hill’s daughter and Ujima Company Member Curtis Lovell. Tioga Simpson will direct the piece, which will star Lovell, Rachael Jamison, Daisy Medina, and Moxie Michèl.

Executive Artistic Director of ICTC Kate LoConti Alcocer launched the program in 2022, desiring to create a free reading Series of plays and lore, connecting WNY cultures through the lenses of the dramatic and language arts.

“Nearly 22 years after Ms. Hill performed Wit here at ICTC, we are so grateful for this opportunity to honor Lorna’s legacy,” said Alcocer. “Curtis has an incredible vision for this piece, and we are excited to collaborate with the dynamic Ujima Company.”

“When Kate came to me for this collaboration, I knew immediately that my mother’s work would be a perfect fit,” Lovell said. “It’s a full circle connection.”

Content Warning: This piece contains strong language as well as mentions of violence, sexual assault, and racism.

All Cultural Classics Exchange Series events are free and open to the public. This is a non-ticketed event, and reservations are not required. For more information, visit www.irishclassical.com/cultural-classics-exchange/ or contact the ICTC Box Office at 716-853-4282, or email BoxOffice@irishclassical.com.