nimbus and Doc Woods present
The burning of Greenwood
nimbus teams up with longtime collaborator Doc Woods to present a searing and personal story of one of our country’s worst moments.
Written by Atlese Robinson and directed by Doc Woods.
Opening June 10th and performing through June 25, 2023.
100 Years later, We will not Forget
Tulsa, Oklahoma. 1921.
John and Loula Williams are proud business owners in the bustling Greenwood district. By day they operate a popular confectionery, and at night they run the Williams Dreamland Theater, showing the latest moving pictures to the many residents of the area.
But one day, an all-too-familiar scene plays out: A white woman screams. A Black man runs away in fear. But this time, the already simmering racial tensions in the city finally boil over, and the Williamses and all the residents of Greenwood are forced to fight for their lives as the powder keg ignites around them.
A shorter, less expansive version of this show was presented in the 2022 Minnesota Fringe. That production, Black Wall Street: Dreamland Theater, received rave reviews and standing ovations during the festival. Josh Cragun, nimbus co-Artistic Director, spoke to the impact of that production. “I was haunted by Doc’s Fringe show, and I knew we needed to do what we could to give this show another life and a greater audience.”
nimbus, frequent collaborator Doc Woods, and playwright Atlese Robinson have teamed up to bring this searing and important story to the stage in its expanded scope, moving beyond just the Dreamland Theater to the broader community. A story not just about tragedy, but of the entrepreneurship, work ethic, community building, and resilience of a people to build not just financial, but cultural and spiritual wealth in the face of Jim Crow. “The story of the people of Greenwood is the story of my grandparents, and their parents, and their parents and most people that look like me,” said Woods.
Playwright Atlese Robinson laid out why this show was so important today. “The legacy of Greenwood, more famously known as Black Wall Street, is a critical piece of American History. Even though it was 100 years ago, we are speaking about a tragedy that happened in the lives of someone who can be my grandmother or great-grandmother. There are survivors of this tragedy who are still alive and breathing. So why now? Why this show? Because we have a duty to tell the true history of America while books about our true history are being banned.”
The Burning of Greenwood plays June 10 - 25 at the Crane Theater in Northeast Minneapolis. A Juneteenth celebration and cookout will follow the Sunday, June 18 performance.
Featuring: Tre’ Beck, Nathan Block, Michael Galvan, B.E. Kerian, Camrin King, Tara Lucchino, Quintin Michael, Jeremie Niyonkuru Jr., Kira K. Spears, Emmanuel L. Woods
Design by Mitchell Frazier, Tyler Krohn, Jenny Moeller, Dameun Strange
Stage Managed by Erin Gustafson, ASM Jasmine Clopton
THE BURNING OF GREENWOOD
Playing June 10 - 25, 2023
Saturday, June 10 7:30pm Opening Night & Reception
Sunday, June 11 3:00pm
Thursday, June 15 7:30pm
Friday, June 16 7:30pm
Saturday, June 17 7:30pm
Sunday, June 18 3:00pm
Monday, June 19 7:30pm
Thursday, June 22 7:30pm
Friday, June 23 7:30pm
Saturday, June 24 7:30pm
Sunday, June 25 3:00pm
Tickets $5 - $50 sliding scale
Performances at the Crane Theater
2303 Kennedy Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Tickets: nimbustheatre.com
For more information:
Josh Cragun josh@nimbustheatre.com
or Liz Neerland liz@nimbustheatre.com
nimbus has been creating dynamic original theater in the Twin Cities since 2001. Our unique process for the creation of playwright-led collaborative work combined with their passion for creating bold, eclectic theater has been dazzling audiences for 20 years. Founded and led by playwrights and run by the artists themselves, we are dedicated to creating theatre that crosses boundaries, promotes imagination, and ignites new conversations.
