VANITAS ARTS : DIGITAL MEETS THEATRE WITH INCLUSION AT ITS CORE
Vanitas Arts is a collaboration between Director and Producer Amanda Huxtable and Artist and Producer Shirley Harris who have been developing bold and ambitious cross-platform work in the North since 2016.
Using combined media - screen, digital, audio and theatre we tell stories that have been previously overlooked and explore hidden voices that have been silenced
Inclusion and Advocacy are at the core of our work, underpinned by a strong artistic vision and a commitment to researching and developing new, exciting ways of working and storytelling
Vanitas Arts is a collaboration between Director and Producer Amanda Huxtable and Artist and Producer Shirley Harris who have been developing bold and ambitious cross-platform work in the North since 2016.
Using combined media - screen, digital, audio and theatre we tell stories that have been previously overlooked and explore hidden voices that have been silenced
Inclusion and Advocacy are at the core of our work, underpinned by a strong artistic vision and a commitment to researching and developing new, exciting ways of working and storytelling
Welcome to episode 3 of our audio drama podcast based on the drama written and performed by Dr Anita Franklin. I leave You Love This episode explores the life and choices of Mary McLeod Bethune a prominent African American Civil Rights Leader, Academic and Activist and encourages lively discussions with our guest artists and activists.
Episode 3 of our 4 part podcast explores Fellowship & Co-operation in the form of letters exchanged between Mary McLeod Bethune and her good friend and fellow activist Zora Neale Hurston using dramatic extracts and discussions between Anita Franklin and guest activist, writer and artist Desirée Reynolds and hosted by Amanda Huxtable Co-Director at Vanitas Arts. Episode 3 is released to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th 2022. CONTENT WARNING - PLEASE NOTE OUR PODCAST INCLUDES SOME MATERIAL AND DISCUSSIONS ON RACIAL THREATS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. ADVISORY FOR MINIMUM AGE 13+ OR AT YOUR DISCRETION Link to Black History Month 2021 website feature below
https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/latest-events/vanitas-arts-celebrates-hidden-black-suffragette-with-launch-of-brand-new-audio-drama-in-black-history-month-uk-2021/ |
We have launched three episodes of our audio drama podcast based on the drama written and performed by Dr Anita Franklin. I leave You Love explores the life of Mary McLeod Bethune a prominent African American Civil Rights Leader, Academic and Activist.
Episodes 1 and 2 of our 4 part audio drama podcast explores Fear through dramatic extracts and discussions between Anita Franklin and fellow activists, writers and artists Amanda Huxtable and Desirée Reynolds. Episode 3 explores friendship, co-operation and fellowship between Mary and her friend Zora Neale Hurston CONTENT WARNING - PLEASE NOTE OUR PODCAST INCLUDES SOME MATERIAL AND DISCUSSIONS ON RACIAL THREATS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. ADVISORY FOR MINIMUM AGE 13+ OR AT YOUR DISCRETION
|
‘We go through life,
we shed our skins,
we become ourselves’
Patti Smith
TRUMPET
Produced by Vanitas Arts
Directed by Amanda Huxtable
Based on the book by Jackie Kay
When the famous jazz trumpet star Joss Moody dies the world learns that he was born a Black female. Joss had spent over 40 years with his breasts bound, in male clothing, and avoiding situations where he might be discovered. He had perceived his success as a jazz musician as an opportunity to live through art without the boundaries and structures that an oppressive society imposes to restrict individuals.
Inspired by Jackie Kay’s novel Trumpet, this project is developing an immersive reimagined version of the story combining the disciplines of performance, live music, theatre, dance and moving image.
Following on from audience evaluations we are developing Trumpet for full performance
Produced by Vanitas Arts
Directed by Amanda Huxtable
Based on the book by Jackie Kay
When the famous jazz trumpet star Joss Moody dies the world learns that he was born a Black female. Joss had spent over 40 years with his breasts bound, in male clothing, and avoiding situations where he might be discovered. He had perceived his success as a jazz musician as an opportunity to live through art without the boundaries and structures that an oppressive society imposes to restrict individuals.
Inspired by Jackie Kay’s novel Trumpet, this project is developing an immersive reimagined version of the story combining the disciplines of performance, live music, theatre, dance and moving image.
Following on from audience evaluations we are developing Trumpet for full performance