Articles: Comvalius, Poitier and Washington
“What she also longs for: more ownership. More studying. More stories in which our pain doesn’t sound like an invitation to stand on the edge of our traumas, look deep into our wounds and there, with faces hanging over the Lake of Black Tears, fall in love with reflections of whiteness. More decolonial thinking Black playwrights, dramaturges, drama school teachers and critics.
In one of the letters published in her informal autobiography To Be Young, Gifted And Black, playwright Lorraine Hansberry writes: ‘I believe that we can impose beauty on our future.’ This imposing of beauty always reminds me of that which Chrisje Comvalius is the personification of and that what she urges those of us lucky enough to enjoy her view to always keep in mind: ‘Create and demand work that reflects our dignity.’”
Excerpt from my article about Afro-Dutch actress Chrisje Comvalius for Theaterkrant (Theatre newspaper). Published: June 27, 2022. This article is in Dutch.
“Two birds in one night…” It’s March 24 2002, the evening that the institution we know as the Oscars stretched their credibility to such a maximum that they hád to grant Denzel Washington an Oscar. Denzel, titan. The absolute best who shines in every film. So absolutely, he was great in his role as detective Alonzo Harris. Nevertheless, it is only in the context of white comfort and the imagination it hijacks, that we can explain why he didn’t win the Oscar for Best Male Actor for his roles as al-Hajj Malik al-Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X, or Rubin ‘The Hurricane’ Carter, but specifically for Training Day.
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What remains is the cliché question: “Who, here in the Netherlands, is our Denzel Washington?” With the answers I’ve heard so far, I think we mean: “These are great actors who we’d love to see have careers similar to Denzel’s.” With our answers, we refer to those who would be capable. From Emmanuel Ohene Boafo, José Montoya, Werner Kolf and Adison dos Reis to Kenneth Herdigein, from Akwasi and Yannick Jozefzoon to Felix Burleson… we’ve got some excellent actors who, of this I’m 100% certain, could be the answer to the question. But, to be honest… with the current range of Dutch films and plays, how would we know?”
Excerpt from my article about Black, intergenerational mentorship among Afro-Dutch actors plus the love between Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington. I wrote this piece as part of the Poitier and Washington-festival organized by Eye cinema (Amsterdam). I wrote the Dutch one and Eye provided English translations. Published: August 12, 2022.
Cancelled: #BPTGembertheeSessies with José Montoya
Unfortunately, the #BPTGembertheeSessies with José Montoya that was scheduled for Sunday June 26 has been cancelled. While we’re trying to find a new moment for a conversation with this young man who I believe is one of NL’s most talented and exciting actors, please check out the info about Montoya’s solo To Be Of Nooit Geweest on the website of Bijlmer Parktheater. For those of you who speak Dutch: I’m looking forward to seeing you there.
For my ginger tea lovers: Be sure to check out the #BPTGembertheeSessies with Djuwa Mroivili on Wednesday July 6.
Upcoming events: #BPTGembertheeSessies with José Montoya and Djuwa Mroivili
Before Bijlmer Parktheater closes its doors for a much needed Summer break, I’m organizing two editions of my beloved #BPTGembertheeSessies . It’s my absolute pleasure to turn our stage into a tea spot and to interview two artists who I deeply appreciate: actor and visual artist José Montoya & classical pianist Djuwa Mroivili. The #BPTGembertheeSessies (ginger tea sessions) is our new series where we have conversations with choreographers, directors, actors and literary geniuses. We talk about what inspires them, what brings them joy, how they continue to study their craft and where they see themselves in the artistic genealogies that they’re part of.
With their dedication to plus their understanding and study of their craft, Montoya and Mroivili are deeply inspiring to me. Thinking of what Mroivili can play and compose? Imagining Montoya embodying the characters that are an answer to our imagination? All this, makes me want to write better and more. If you’re in or can come to Amsterdam Bijlmer on Sunday June 26 and/or Wednesday July 6, be sure to meet us at Bijlmer Parktheater.
Sunday June 26 – José Montoya
Time: 15.00h-16.30h. Food will be served from 17:00h-17:45h.
Bio: Montoya is an actor and visual artists who, on his website, describes himself as an adopted Colombian and an import-Amsterdammer who always felt different. He played MLK in Urban Myth’s Martin Luther King, won over youngsters in Het Laatste Koekje (The Last Cookie) and starred in various plays by MAAS Podium, Urban Myth, MC and many others.
As a visual artist, he creates colorful paintings with paper that he folds and tears. He uses accessible techniques such as folding, cutting and pasting to work as intuitively as possible. His work, of which you can see an example in this picture, is about light and space. It’s characterized by monochromy, repetition, seriality and the immediacy of the materials he uses.
To buy tickets for the event, please visit this page on the Bijlmer Parktheater website. On every 2nd ticket Bijlmer Parktheater offers a 50% discount. If after the interview with José Montoya you’d like to enjoy the vegan, Caribbean soup and snacks we’re serving that day, be sure to buy the ticket that says “kaartje + catering”.
Please note: The conversations during the #BPTGembertheeSessies with José Montoya will be in Dutch.
Wednesday July 6 – Djuwa Mroivili
Time: 20:00h-21:30h. Food will be served from 18:30h-19:15h.
Bio: Mroivili is a classical pianist and teacher who’s one of the co-founders of Hungry, Angry, Late & Tired (HALT), a governing body that works ArtEZ-wide for inclusion. Currently, Mroivili is engaged in researching Black composers, and the role communities can play in designing inclusive art education and art practice.
For her edition of the #BPTGembertheeSessies Mroivili opens the session with a set combining the Comorian melodies/music that they and their father love & work by the Florence Price and Margaret Bonds. Mroivili states: “The common denominators between this music can best be described as ‘Black mentorship’ and ‘comfort music’.” Check the video below for an impression of Mroivili’s awe-mazingness.
To buy tickets for the event, please visit this page on the Bijlmer Parktheater website. On every 2nd ticket Bijlmer Parktheater offers a 50% discount. If you’d like to enjoy the delicious food we’re serving that day, be sure to buy the ticket that says “kaartje + catering”. Since we’re celebrating the Decolonization Day of the Comores, dinner will, of course, include a variation of samosa’s. The entire menu will be announced in the 3rd week of June.
The #BPTGembertheeSessies with Djuwa Mroivili will be in English.
laZeefuik 
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