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www.emergetheatregroup.com
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Staging Life. Changing Lives.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Clinnesha D. Sibley (479) 287-4257 [email protected]
Emerge Theatre Group has cooked up Gumbo: A Tribute to Lousiana; a roux of music, dance,
poetry and drama created to celebrate American heritage and pay tribute to Louisiana.
Emerge Theatre Group, Northwest Arkansass premier theatre company for culturally unique works, is
staging the new play Gumbo: A Tribute to Lousiana on Saturday, April 10 at 7:30pm at the Breedlove
Auditorium in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Gumbo, written and directed by Producing Director Clinnesha
Dillon Sibley, is also open for bookings through the companys traveling theatre for the 2009-2010 play
season.
Sibley (It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Choices) has cooked up a pot of "theatre gumbo" (music,
dance, poetry and drama) for a celebration of American heritage. Highly influenced by Hurricane
Katrina and the 2007 Jena Six case, this production explores savory elements from religion to racism,
bringing focus to Louisiana's rich culture and recent history.
"Louisiana and I share a common heritage. We are both children of the Mississippi, Sibley said.
Clinnesha D. Sibley is a graduate of the MFA playwright program in the Drama department at
University of Arkansas, where she currently teaches African-American theatre. Her work has appeared
at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for three consecutive years, the Arkansas
Repertory Theatres Voices at the River Playwriting Residency, and the Great Plains Theatre Conference
in Omaha, Nebraska.
About us:Emerge Theatre Group, (formerly the African American Theatre Group of Northwest Arkansas), is
committed to staging original works that heal, restore and are culturally unique. The company grew out
of a need for more African-American presence in the local theatre community and became an outlet for
aspiring and serious-minded individuals, seeking opportunities to minister through meaningful theatre.
Our mission is to encourage artistic growth and inspire all people.
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Gumbo: A Tribute to Lousiana
Show Ingredients:
"Down in the Bayou" by Tony L. Jefferson, Jr.
"Dat Cajun Cat" by Mary Lynn Plaisance
"Toussaint L'ouverture" by Ntozake Shange
"Nothin' but a Li'l Wind and Rain" by Clinnesha D. Sibley
"The Making of Golden Gumbo" by Wenda S. Anderson
"Summertime"
"Finding the Middle Ground" by Clinnesha D. Sibley
"New Orleans" by Chuck Perkins
*There will be one 15-minute intermission*
Ensemble:
Bayou Girl- Dalaura Patton
Bayou Girl- Jessica Obilom
Lady of the Bayou- Monica Draine
Lady in Brown- Myrlinda Huff
Della Mae- Charisma HendersonHostess- Carrye Davidson
Ivan- Michael Lafears, Jr.
Kyla- Cherrelle Miller
Nikki- Jessica Lintz
*Please check with EMERGE Theatre Group before printing cast list*
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COMPANY FOUNDERS:
EMERGE was founded by Clinnesha Dillon Sibley in May 2009 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She
is the Producing Artistic Director, partnering with her husband Keith Sibley who manages operations.
Clinnesha is a graduate of the MFA playwright program in the Drama department at University of
Arkansas, where she penned How to Get the Mango When the Lizards in the Way, Thorns, Choices,among others.
Her work has appeared at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for three
consecutive years, the Arkansas Repertory Theatres Voices at the River Playwriting Residency, andthe Great Plains Theatre Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. Clinnesha has also worked with aspiring
theatre artists in conjunction with Theatre Squared and Arts Live Theatre in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In
addition to EMERGE, Clinnesha is also an instructor of Drama at her alma mater.
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About EMERGE Theatre Group:
EMERGE Theatre Group, (formerly the African American Theatre Group of Northwest Arkansas), is committed to
staging original works that heal, restore and are culturally unique. The company grew out of a need for more
African-American presence in the local theatre community and became an outlet for aspiring and serious-minded
individuals, seeking opportunities to minister through meaningful theatre. Our mission is to encourage artistic
growth and inspire all people.
The first major production for EMERGE in 2009 was The Women of Strong Hope, followed by
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, which debuted in December 2009. Major debuts for 2010 include
Gumbo: A Tribute to Lousianaand Magnolia Nights.In addition to theatre productions, EMERGE offers drama workshops, crafted to inspire original works and garner
interests in the creative/performing arts. Workshop topics include Staging Our Stories, Arts Empowerment, and
Behind the Scenes.
Not in the Northwest Arkansas area? EMERGE will come to you! Clinnesha and cast members engage in a
company traveling tour, per show request. To book one of our shows, commission a script for our playwright-in-
resident or schedule a drama workshop, please contact Keith Sibley at [email protected].
EMERGE Theatre Group P.O.Box4102 Fayetteville,AR72702 479-287-4257