LIT FROM THE BLACK!
Lit From the Black! is a training and fellowship in Stage Design and Technical production (stage lighting, sound, stage management and visual design) for Womxn & NB Folx of African Descent. The Lit From the Black! Fellow is trained and mentored by Stephanie Anne Johnson, a well-accomplished lighting designer, and other stage design and production professionals.
Through weekly sessions and a culminating showcase, Johnson and guest facilitators will provide training, and engage Fellows with hands-on training, fieldwork, networking, and mentoring in productions at various theaters in the SF Bay Area.
Who it’s for
The fellowship centers womxn-identified and gender non-binary of African descent.
Black Creators and Producers deserve Black design & technical team. Womxn-identified and gender non-binary folx of African descent deserve to have opportunities in all fields that are supportive, and disrupt the design and impacts of a racist and sexist-driven arts ecosystem. Lit From the Black! aspires to prepare Fellows to meet the demand and continue on as members of an important community of artists.
The ideal Lit From the Black! Fellow is interested in/curious about careers in Lighting Design/Tech, Lighting Designer, Sound Design/Tech, Stage Manager/Technician, Acting, Directing, Event planning & production, Scenic Arts, and Costume.
What you get
Free professional training
In-real-time hands-on work experience
A stipend upon successful completion and attendance of all fellowship activity
A network and connection as a part of an integral cohort of dynamic art practitioners
Support and mentoring with artistic and career development
Professional and peer mentorship referrals to resources and art organizations in the SF Bay Area
Complimentary or discounted attendance to shows, workshops and other events produced by Afro Urban Society and/or Partner organizations through the year of the fellowship (dependent on availability)
Marketing; including professional photo
Opportunities for future paid work
Lead Facilitator
& Project Coordinator
2019-2020 Cohort: Tracy Baxter, Kimberly Harvey-Scott, Tanika Baptiste, Shaunnah Ray, Tyler Musgrave, Destiny Evans, Niki Brown, Saoirse Weaver, with Stephanie Johnson (in collaboration with Dance Mission Theater)
2018 Fellows: Tiombe Wiley, Natalya Shoaf, Jewel Buchanan-Boone, Alexa Burrell (in collaboration with Dance Mission Theater)
“My joy was compounded by having the opportunity to collaborate fearlessly with and draw creative confidence from other Black women.”
-2019 Participant
