TYA BIPOC Superhero Project
Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (TYA/USA) has announced the TYA BIPOC Superhero Project, a new initiative led by playwright and educator José Casas, designed to give playwrights of color more access to mainstream/regional TYA theatres. In an effort the TYA/USA is calling the largest and most comprehensive partnership of theatres ever undertaken in the field, 20 playwrights of color will be commissioned by 24 theatres to develop their work in a one-week residency. All the commissioned works will feature stories of BIPOC superheroes, and the project will culminate in a year-long celebration with productions, co-productions, and a published anthology of all the plays.
Metro Theater Company Artistic Director Julia Flood said, “MTC is thrilled to be included in this nation-wide celebration of BIPOC voices. In co-commissioning a new play by Emilio Rodriguez of Detroit, we are also able to begin a new partnership with two TYA theater companies in our region - Trike Theatre in Bentonville, AR and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock. We are excited to work together to create a play that will reach a wide number of young people in our two states during the 2024-2025 season.”
The playwrights featured in the TYA BIPOC Superhero Project are:
José Casas
Idris Goodwin
Marcus Yi
Rhiana Yazzie
Alvaro Saar Rios
Sigrid Gilmer
Ramón Esquivel
Gloria Bond Clunie
Kwik Jones
Carolyn Dunn
Sam Hamashima
Mariah L. Richardson
Susan H. Pak
Gregory Van Acker
Mabelle Reynoso
Emilio Rodriguez
June Carryl
Sean-Joseph Choo
Lee Cataluna
Dr. Manuel A. Morán