The Genesis Festival of New Plays at Crossroads Theatre Company

CROSSROADS CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF PLAYWRITING EXCELLENCE

WITH A LINE UP OF NEW PLAYS FOR THE ACCLAIMED GENESIS FESTIVAL 

March 20, 2024 – The Tony Award Winning Crossroads Theatre Company (CTC) celebrates 35 years of black stories with a lineup of new plays from a multigenerational cohort of new and established writers. Since 1990, The Genesis Festival of New Plays has been a sanctuary for some of the world's most celebrated and decorated playwrights including George C. Wolfe, Ntozake Shange, Anna Deaveare Smith, Richard Wesley, Ruby Dee and Samm Art-Williams. This year’s line up includes the following: 

PEARLS

Written by Silma Sierra Berrada 

Winner of The Crossroads Genesis Prize for Playwriting Excellence

Directed by Axel Avin Jr.

Caught in a cycle of eviction, Pearl does whatever it takes to put a roof over her children’s heads. But Swan, the landlord, needs to collect rent to provide for her own family.

April 2, 2025 @7pm

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in shame OR in pride: a biomythography 

Written by Jamie Goodwin 

Directed by Ezra Ezzard

We are confronted once again with the very question of our survival. Jamie has decided to tell you a story. No, a love letter. The story of their grandmothers. Grandmothers who survived.

April 3, 2025 @7pm

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The Carelessness of Love 

Written by Michael Dinwiddie

Directed by Adrienne Williams

Angelina Grimké has laid plans to leave her overbearing father and escape to a

new life with her lover Mary Burrill. Anna Julia, a close family friend, complicates

the story by introducing a young man who she hopes will alter Angelina’s desires.

As love unravels the threads of the most carefully plotted deceptions, no one can

live happily ever after once the truth is laid bare.

April 4, 2025 @7pm

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hop tha A 

Written by James Anthony Tyler

Directed by Shaun 

New York, 2013. During his late-night commute on the A train, Harlem native Tyrone

tries to impress Niesha, his coworker at a nightclub, who just wants to read her book

and pass the ride in silence. But as they travel uptown, the two forge an unlikely

connection that extends beyond the confines of the subway car.

April 7, 2025 @7pm 

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CTC continues to deliver on its commitment to the next generation of playwrights with the announcement of The Crossroads Genesis Prize for Playwriting Excellence in partnership with Columbia University's School of the Arts. The selected winner will receive  a development lab and a public reading of the play with professional actors and director. This year’s honors are extended to: Silma Sierra Berrada, the Genesis Prize Winner and the three finalists, Goldie E Patrick (‘23), DeAndre Short (‘23) and Jonathan Williem Mikhael Barbee ('25).

The Genesis Festival of New Plays runs at Crossroads Theatre @The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center from April 2nd through April 7th. All performances will begin at 7pm.For tickets and more information visit www.crossroadstheatrecompany.org

ABOUT CROSSROADS THEATRE COMPANY

Founded in 1978, by Ricardo Khan and L. Kenneth Richardson, Crossroads has been asanctuary for some of the world's most celebrated and decorated artists including August Wilson, Ntozake Shange, George C. Wolfe and many more. To date the company has launched 100+ productions, 50 World Premieres and introduced nearly 35 new playwrights to the global theatre canon. With existing partnerships with other theatre companies around the world, The Tony Award winning company is a leading global ambassador for diasporic storytelling.

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