A Matter Of Food

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County Announces Food Sovereignty Theatrical Program

Among the many things we have learned from the pandemic, we have learned that many of our communities are grossly underprepared to feed themselves in tough times. It is a frightening truth that applies to many communities in good times as well.

Publick Playhouse, a part of M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince County announces Food Sovereignty, Seeds and Stories: Theatre & Conversation on Saturday, April 24, 2021, 5 - 6:30 pm. This virtual theatrical program features a reading of an excerpt from The Invention of Seeds by Annalisa Dias. Following will be a conversation among Black and Indigenous food justice workers who have relationships with the Prince George's County community. The program will ignite the community to take agency and action for their food sovereignty.

“Food deserts and food swamps are a real problem in Prince George’s and across the country that disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous and People of Color”, states Publick Playhouse Assistant Director Megan Merchant. “We’re excited to use art to catalyze conversation and action in the county.”

Speakers during the program include:

Groundwater Arts is a predominantly POC, half Indigenous, women-led artist collaborative based across the United States. Groundwater is committed to re-envisioning the arts field through a climate justice lens, which is activated through the principles of a Green New Theatre (GNT) - a movement-building document penned in partnership with arts makers throughout the country. Their mission is to shape, steward, and seed a just future through creative practice, consultation, and community building.

Annalisa Dias is a Goan-American citizen artist, community organizer, and award-winning theatre maker working at the intersection of racial justice and care for the earth. She is Director of Artistic Partnerships & Innovation at Baltimore Center Stage, where she is responsible for new work development and civic programming. She is a TCG Rising Leader of Color. Recent work includes THE EARTH, THAT IS SUFFICIENT, a performance project about hope for the future in the face of the climate catastrophe, produced by The Welders throughout 2019 in Washington DC and globally.

Anna Lathrop is a futures design researcher and facilitator based in Lenape territory (Brooklyn, NY). Her work is situated at the intersection of speculative visioning, design research and social justice. Recent projects include a month-long project with TONYC’s Rapid Response Troupe exploring the role of speculative design in imagining and actualizing just futures. Her background is rooted in directing and producing for theatres in Washington, DC and New York City. She is the former Executive Director of The Muse Project in New York City, and the co-founder of the Washington DC Coalition for Theatre & Social Justice.

Tara Moses is a citizen of Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Mvskoke, director,  multi award-winning playwright, co-Artistic Director in Residence at Red Eagle Soaring,  Producing Artistic Director of telatúlsa, co-Founder and Senior Producer of #Binge, and co-Founder of Groundwater Arts.  

DeLesslin George-Warren is an artist, researcher, and educator from Catawba Indian Nation whose work ranges from performance to installation art to community education to food sovereignty to language revitalization.

Xavier Brown is the founder of Soilful City, an organization dedicated to food justice in the Black communities in SE DC and neighboring area. Xavier is a native of Washington, DC and a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He operates at the boundaries of urban agriculture, environmental sustainability, and African Diasporic culture.  His work intertwines sustainability with the issues that impact stressed communities from gun violence to mass incarceration. 

Food Sovereignty, Seeds and Stories is intended for Ages 18 and Up. Tune in on the Arts PG Parks Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/Artspgparks.

About Publick Playhouse

Known for its comfortable, inviting space and great acoustics, the Publick Playhouse is one of the best performing arts venues in the greater Washington, DC area. Since 1947, the richly historic Playhouse continues to serve as a popular venue for music and modern dance, musical theater, historical drama, educational programs and monthly events for seniors. With its ornate sky scene and plush seating for 494, the theatre is one of the two surviving Art Deco theatres in Prince George's County. For more information, contact publickplayhouse@pgparks.com.

About the Department

The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation delivers an award-winning park system through progressive, innovative leadership and a commitment to the community and the environment in Prince George’s County. For more on the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit www.pgparks.com and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, PhotoShelter, and Instagram. The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation.