December 10, 2022 11:30 aM
2:00 pM (SOLD OUT)
North Carolina Museum Of Art
December 11. Mount Calvary United Church of Christ, Durham. 4:00 pM - LIMITED SEATING. Registration required.
Directed by Stephanie Howard (Asabi)
Music Director: Ray Watkins
Choreography by Kristi V. Johnson and Toya Chinfloo
“For unto us, a child is born...” Join us for a special concert!
Artistic leaders Dr. Asabi (Stephanie Howard) and Ray Watkins bring this soaring 45-minute gospel concert to life featuring nine soloists, West African and contemporary dance, a live band, vibrant costumes, and a beautifully poignant narrative.
FREE and open to the public. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. This event is OUTSIDE - bring a lawn chair and blanket. General seating.
SEASON SUBSCRIBERS: Email us if you would like to sit in the reserved section of the bleachers.
The perfect family holiday experience.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Registration via etix required for general public. Email registration required by sponsors and season subscribers.
No smoking is allowed inside venue gates.
No outside food or beverage will be permitted in the venue except for factory-sealed water bottles and empty bottles (no glass). Concessions will be available.
Production of Black Nativity in Concert
Sponsored by Carol Woods Retirement Community
Written and Directed by
Dr. Asabi (Stephanie Howard)
Music Direction and Original Music Arrangements
Rev. Ray Watkins
Choreography
Kristi Vincent Johnson and Toya Chinfloo
Production Stage Management
Kalimah Williams
Costume Design
Lydia Houston
Scenic Design/Master Carpenter
Jeffrey Nugent
Singers
Karen Alston, Jadah Barber, Kimberly Britt, Taufiki Lee, Tiffany Little, Beverly Ann Love, Tyonda Love, Dottie Middleton, Carter Minor, Marvin Outlaw, Haven Powell, Tamisha Waden
The Dancers
Lydia Banuelos, Rayven Day, Aisha S. Horton, Rondejia King, Frankie Lee, Travyon Lovely, Destinee Mackey, Robert McCreary
Mary: Khiya Hawthorne
Musicians:
The Reverend Ray Watkins – Keyboard
Chucky Robinson - Organist
Thurmon Woods - Bass
Montrel Parker - Percussion
African Drums: Ayinde Hurrey and Bashir Shakur
Stage Lighting Design
Cory Arnold
Sound Design
B.B. Nation
THE JUSTICE THEATER PROJECT STAFF
Executive Producer, Melissa Zeph
Producing Artistic Director, Jerry Sipp
Business Manager, Marguerite LeBlanc
Administration, Melissa Reilly
Marketing, Slee Arnold
Artistic Administrative Associate, Olivia Allen
SPECIAL THANKS
The North Carolina Museum of Art, North Carolina Central University Theater Department
BLACK NATIVITY is sponsored by
Carol Woods Retirement Community
Solidarity Capital
Aqua Terra Therapies
ManBites Dog Theatre Fund
A.J. Fletcher Foundation
Senter, Stephenson and Johnson, PA
The Justice Theater Project is funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission. The Justice Theater Project is supported by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. This project was supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.
Dr. Asabi (Stephanie Howard) (Director) is an Associate Professor of Theatre at North Carolina Central University, where she serves as Chair. She has received a Kennedy Center American Theatre Festival directing award (2014 & 2016) and NCCU College of Liberal Arts Awards in Outstanding Teaching, Scholarship, and Playwriting. She has directed shows such as The Bluest Eye and for colored girls… & for black boys (her original compilation) which were selected features at the 2015 & the 2013 National Black Theatre Festivals; The Color Purple; Ruined; Sarafina; Slappin’ God in the Face (her original work); Fabulation; Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery; From the Mississippi Delta; Blues for an Alabama Sky; and The Amen Corner. She also authored God Spoke My Name: Maya Angelou; Reaching for God with Dirty Hands and Tainted Blood and Distorted Beauty.
The Reverend Raymond S. Watkins (Music Director) is a native of Hillsborough, North Carolina and the Sr. Pastor of Mount Calvary United Church of Christ, in Durham, North Carolina. Since his arrival, through his dynamic leadership, spiritual teaching, biblical preaching, and musical abilities, Reverend Watkins has helped the church transition into a cutting edge 21st century ministry. This is evident as the church celebrates time honored traditions while employing new ministry methods and technology. The church is reaping a harvest of renewed visibility in the community through the outreach and evangelistic activities of the ministries under Watkins’ leadership. Mount Calvary United Church Of Christ is, “On the move for God.”
Reverend Watkins has helped to establish a contemporary worship service for the church, Music, Media, and Technology ministries. In addition to full time administration, Reverend Watkins maintains an active preaching schedule throughout Durham and surrounding area churches, facilitating workshops, preaching revivals and other services throughout the entire region. Reverend Watkins also serves with other Pastors in the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance who help facilitate worship services that create outreach for the community. Reverend Watkins is a graduate of Elon University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. Although most of his ministerial career was leading and shepherding music ministries, God redirected his passions towards Pastoral ministry. Upon acknowledging his call, Reverend Watkins pursued and received a Master of Divinity degree from Apex School Of Theology, in Durham, North Carolina. Following his graduation, he preached his Initial Sermon, received his license and was subsequently ordained into the Gospel Ministry by the UBC Ordination Council of The East Cedar Grove Association. Reverend Watkins is well known throughout the community. He has always exemplified a strong passion and commitment in supporting the community, actively participating in various outreach ministries, visiting the sick and shut-in at home as well as Senior and Assisted Living centers, providing support during times of surgery and hospitalization, providing spiritual counsel based upon scripture for individual and married couples, and providing numerous families with support and assistance during their time of bereavement. Through worship, ministry and a commitment to servant leadership, Reverend Watkins strives to proclaim the Good News of God’s love, to encourage others in their Christian walk, to lead them into praise and worship of Him, and to nurture their spiritual development in ministry. Finally, Reverend Watkins is a family man. He is married to Lakecia D. R. Watkins and the proud father of two daughters, Brittany and Rhea.
