Episode 3

MAAFA 

Brooklyn, New York

In our third episode of Stage Left we visit the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in East New York, Brooklyn as they prepare for the annual production of MAAFA, a large scale production that explores the trauma endured by African people in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. We look at how the creative team and members of the church transform the sanctuary into a living museum to create a healing journey for audiences. 

MAAFA Credits

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Hosted and Directed by Ashley Marinaccio 

Featuring Dr. Rev. Johnny Youngblood, Michele Hawkins-Jones, Renée KeSeur, Stephanie Annette, Rolanda Dixon, Kaii Boyd, Kasiem Aboti Walters, Patricia Richards, Rose-Ann Rock, Teresa Ward, Paris Fishback, Carolyn Spann, Jamel Gaines, Kenya Cagle, Russell Dieterle, Therese McGinn, Jimmy Gary Jr., Martin Christie, and Pamela Blount

Cinematography by Noura Boustany Jost 

Additional Videography by Janet Bentley

Assistant Directed by Melissa Ingle 

Field Sound Mixer Micheal Rybicki 

Original Composition and Sound Design by Janet Bentley

Stage Left Intro Electroblurgen "Gentle, Cruel Orb"
Stage Left Credits Music  Janet Bentley and Andy Evan Cohen "The Rolypolys"

Additional Video Footage Provided by Michele Hawkins-Jones, Reverend Johnny Youngblood and Mount Pisgah Baptist Church

Stage Left Intro Photo by Jody Christopherson 

Wardrobe Design by Stacey Oliver 

Executive Producer Karen Gunn

Graduate Center Advisor/Consultants: Michael Mandiberg (ITP) and Dr. Jean Graham-Jones (Theatre and Performance) 

Produced and Supported by Dominique Bravo, Jackie Shapiro, Patrick Clearly, Gerit Quealy 

Special Thanks: Michele Hawkins-Jones, Robert A. K . Gonyo, Michael Mandiberg (ITP), CUNY Graduate Center Provost Digital Innovations Grant,  Dr. Carlos Hernandez, Dr. Ximela Gallardo

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This project has been supported by a grant from the CUNY Graduate Center Digital Initiatives and the Office of the Provost. This project is also supported by the NY Public Humanities Fellowship.