Between a Ballad and a Blues chronicles the life and work of African-American-Appalachian renaissance man Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong and his musical partners, Carl Martin and Ted Bogan. Together they formed one of the most famous string-band groups in the history of American music. As a group and solo arts, Martin Bogan and Armstrong toured the globe sharing string band music with the world, planting the seed for other American music forms including Country and Blues. The play centers around the character of Howard Armstrong who narrates the tale which is highlighted with stories and songs from both Bogan and Martin. The play spans Howard’s lengthy seven decade musical career.
SWOPERA is a spoken-word opera that addresses familial history, internal epiphany, and collective responsibility through a fusion of music that ranges from Be-Bop to Hip-Hop.
Nothin' Nice is the story of Lonewolf, a young man forced to confront issues of “environmental racism” and its impact on his family and community.
Dark Cowgirls & Prairie Queens written by Linda Parris-Bailey (CBT Executive/Artistic Director) brings to life seven of the most colorful Black women to emerge from the American West.
Red Summer
In the summer of 1919, mob violence exploded in a number of communities throughout the North and South. Red Summer, adapted by Steve Kent from a play by Mayta Haley, depicts the impact of the night Maurice Mays, a prominent African-American business man and ex-deputy sheriff, was accused of murdering a white woman in Knoxville, Tennessee. Red Summer tells the story of a black community that could not escape the horrors of racial conflict in the post WWI era. This work explores the rage and fallout of racial unrest in a small southern city.
Ce Nitram Sacul is the story of a woman in crisis. Disturbed by the violence and insensitivity around her, she turns to her “Womantor”, her touchstone for advice. This contemporary praise poem, rich in symbolic imagery, demonstrates that the greatest tribute is action carried forth.
Southern Sankofa: Flying Home is an interactive digital story featuring live performance that chronicles the 37-year history of CBT performances, workshop services, and community-based cultural work.
