Groundswell Festival: Day 1

November 18, 2024

Doors 6:30pm // Event Starts 7pm // Talkback and Networking With All 5 Playwrights + Drinks to Follow

$12 + fees

Join Nightwood Theatre in celebrating creation, conversation, and community at the 39th annual Groundswell Festival! From November 18-20, the Groundswell Festival is coming to the Buddies in Bad Times Tallulah's Cabaret to spotlight brand new works from Nightwood’s Write From The Hip Playwright's Unit, led by Interim Program Director Keshia Palm and Program Associate Jan Alicia Jennings. 

Tonight, hear an exclusive reading of Kijo Gatama's The Forage.

"The Forage" - What could possibly go wrong when your family's medical history is blank, suspicions of it are disregarded as happenstance or curses or a good tale to discuss at family dinner reminiscing about that "crazy" uncle that mysteriously passed away? This play embarks on a deeply emotional journey exploring family, heritage, and health, shedding light on rarely discussed topics in African households. Mumbi's revelation of an irreversible hereditary condition during a checkup unravels generations of untold medical history. Who is in her corner?

Content Warning: Adult Language

Mumbi / Doctor: Natasha Mumba (IG: @tashamum)
One / Ancestor: Walter Borden (IG: @walterborden)
Two / Receptionist / Ancestor: Tarique Lewis
Three / Nappy / Ancestor: Virgillia Griffith
Four / Eddie: daniel jelani ellis (IG: @danjelani)
Curtain Raiser: Rakhee Morzaria

If you love Reunion Episodes, Behind-the-Scenes content, Director’s Cuts, or want to learn more about the playwrights from this season’s Groundswell, don’t miss the first time all five WFTH playwrights gather in the same room for a very special IRL conversation in front of a live audience (you)! Stick around after the reading to hear the playwrights talk about their scripts, writing process, creative inspirations, and curiosities. Moderated by Interim Program Director Keshia Palm, featuring Hilary Smith, Kijo Gatama, Meara Khanna, Mily Mumford, Pesch Nepoose. 

https://www.nightwoodtheatre.net/

Facebook: @nightwoodtheatre

IG/X: @nightwoodtheat

Like its ambisextrous namesake, Buddies’ in-house bar and performance space Tallulah’s Cabaret does it all. It’s throbbing club nights and community tap dance lessons. High-concept drag and low-stakes open mics. Go for pre-drinks but stay late for the post-show discourse—maybe even spark that next collaboration. With local brews and sober options that aren’t an after-thought, Tallulah’s is the come-as-you-are bar for old friends, new lovers, partiers, poets, and curious passerby. See you under the chandeliers.

Tallulah’s Cabaret is open Wednesday to Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to midnight (or later).

Check out our events calendar for more info, or follow Tallulah’s Instagram.