Perseverance Theatre is pushing often-overlooked perspectives into the spotlight with a pair of community conversations.
The first, “Black Alaskan History Matters Lecture, Storytelling and Poetry with M.C. MoHagani Magnetek,” will focus on the significant part Black Alaskans played in shaping the state’s history.
“It’s sort of one part lecture, one part storytelling, one part poetry, one part community conversation,” said Erika Stone, director of marketing and engagement for Perseverance Theatre., in a phone interview. “It’s not going to be a run-of-the-mill lecture.”
Magnetek, who worked with the theater as a curator for its Black Alaskan Art Matters showcase, will give the unique presentation via free livestream Friday evening. It will be available on Perseverance Theatre’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Join us this Friday, March 12 at 7 p.m. for a free, live-streamed event that is part lecture, part storytelling, part…
Posted by Perseverance Theatre on Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Some of the stories that will be highlighted by the writer, poet and activist include Matthew Henson, the Black man who was the first to stand at the North Pole; Zula Swanson, a sex worker who was one of the largest landowners in the state in the ’50s; the Black men who worked on the Alcan; and more.
On Saturday, March 20, Perseverance Theatre’s artistic director Leslie Ishii and theater founder Molly Smith will participate in a community conversation about their experiences as women in theater.
The event, which will be moderated by frequent performer and Perseverance Board Vice President Allison Holtkamp, is intended as a chance to acknowledge and celebrate Women’s History Month.
Like the BAHM event, the community conversation with Ishii and Smith will be free and open to the public. It will be livestreamed on the theater’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
“I think hearing their perspectives together, it will be really interesting,” Stone said.
• Contact Ben Hohenstatt at (907)308-4895 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt
Know & Go
What: “Black Alaskan History Matters” and “Community Conversation with Leslie Ishii and Molly Smith”
When: BAHM, 7 p.m., Friday, March 12. Community conversation, 4 p.m., Saturday, March 20.
Where: Perseverance Theatre’s Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/PerseveranceTheatre/; and YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/c/perseverancetheatre/featured.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
