Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation
Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation began in a modest apartment in Cleveland, Ohio. Driven by a vision to honor the often-overlooked women of the Black Power movement, Burton gathered a group of local Black women artists—playwrights, dancers, actors, poets, and singers—to brainstorm. What started as a creative session quickly grew into the foundation of a powerful devised work—part performance, part movement—dedicated to exploring and celebrating the resilience, spirit, and triumph of Black women.
From that initial gathering, the project evolved into more than just a play. It became a statement: a declaration of Black women’s power to endure and lead. The process of devising the piece began in August 2018, launching with a collaborative, ensemble-driven rehearsal model. Over the course of its development, Panther Women involved three distinct cycles: Cycle 1, Cycle 2 and Cycle 3, of creative participation, ultimately employing over 55 women of color.
Each cycle contributed new voices, experiences, and perspectives to the final work, helping shape a dynamic, multifaceted piece of theatre. The play, which is a Chorepoem, pays homage to Ntozake Shange, the proprietor and Black woman, who coined the term.
The play had its world premiere at Cleveland Public Theatre in February 2022 as part of the National New Play Network’s Rolling World Premiere program. It then traveled to The Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis in the summer of 2022, and later premiered in Chicago through a co-production between Perceptions Theatre and The Prop Theatre, in May of 2023.
At its core, Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation explores the lives and legacies of three powerful figures—Angela Davis, Elaine Brown, and Assata Shakur. Using monologues, poetry, movement, dance, and song, the piece examines the vital roles African American women played in the Black Panther Party and the larger Civil Rights Movement, while also confronting the internal struggles they faced, including systemic sexism within their own ranks.
High-energy and deeply emotional, the play not only tells the stories of these women but also honors the broader legacy of Black women as warriors, thinkers, and cultural leaders. Through its devised nature and ensemble storytelling, Panther Women creates a space for both historical reflection and contemporary resonance, offering a powerful tribute to the unbreakable force of Black womanhood.
Panther Women Cycle 3 (Workshop)
CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE
July 1st-9th, 2021
Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation — Outdoor Workshop Performance
This video captures an outdoor performance of Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation — a workshop presentation exploring resistance, resilience, and the legacy of revolutionary women.
Brought to life by a dynamic cast and creative team, this performance was made possible through the support of the National New Play Network’s Bridge Grant and presented at Cleveland Public Theatre, the summer of 2021.
Featuring performances by:
DayShawnda Ash
Maya Nicholson
Mary-Francis V. Miller
Courtney L. Brown
Chenelle Bryant- Harris
Khemi Shalahudin
De’Aja Wilson
Directed by: India Nicole Burton Assistant Director Assistant Director: Zyrece Montgomery
Stage Manager: Lisala Peery
Assistant Stage Manager: Troian Butler
Choreography by Alexis Britford
Cycle 3 Cast of Panther Women:An Army for the Liberation
From Left to right
Top Row: Chennelle Bryant-Harris, Mary-Francis V. Miller, DayShawnda Ash
Bottom Row: Courtney Black, Khemi Salahuddin, De’Asia Wilson, Maya Nicholson
“{Panther Women} is Theatre with a purpose!” -Mark Horning Cleveland Theatre Critic
Panther Women Cycle 2 (Workshop)
CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE Entry Point (January, 2019)
Chicago Rhinoceros Festival (February 2020)
Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation
Cycle 2 of Panther Womenincluded a performance at Cleveland Public Theatre’s Entry Point Festival in January 2019, and later traveled to Chicago for the Rhinoceros Festival at The Prop Theatre in February 2020.
Featuring performances by:
Andrea Belser-McCormick
De’Aja Monet
Alexis Man
Calypso Simone
Maurisha Ari
Asia Sharpe-Berry
Chaunice Hendking
Understudy: Zyrece Montgomery
Directed & Written by:: India Nicole Burton
Assistant Director: Mariah Burkes
Stage Manager: Jaytiona Wells
Music director: Mary-Francis V. Miller
Choreography by Lexy Lattimore
F
Cast of Panther Women Cycle 2
rom Left to Right Top Row:
Asia Sharpe Berry, Andrea Belser McCormick, Zyrece Montgomery
From Left to Right Middle Row:
Calypso Simone, Shatara Jordan, Max
From Left to Right Bottom Row:
Chaunice Hendking, Maurisha Ari
Panther Women Cycle 1 (Workshop)
CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE
November 2018
Panther Women Cycle 1 premiered in November 2018 at Cleveland Public Theatre. This inaugural iteration was devised by India Nicole Burton, Lexy Lattimore, Jaiie Dayo Aliya, Latecia Delores, SV Richards, along with the performers listed below.
Featuring performances by:
Mary-Francis V. Miller
Calypso Simone
Shatara Jordan
Chaunice Hendking
Corlesia Smith
Chantrell Lewis
Chelsi Knight
Written & Directed by India Nicole Burton
Stage Manager: Bryce Evans
Assistant stage Manager: Jaytiona wells
Choreogry: Lexi Lattimore
Music Director: Mary-Francis V. Miller
Writing Contributors: Jaiie Dayo-Aliya, Letecia Delores, SV Richards
Cast of Panther Women Cycle 1
Listed from Left to Right Standing Top Row:
Shatara Jordan, Corlesia Smith, Chantrell Lewis, Calypso Simone
Listed Left to Right Kneeling Bottom Row:
Chelsi Knight, Chaunice Hendking
From left to right: Chantel Lewis, Calypso Simone, Mary V. Francis Miller, Corlesia Smith
The Premiere of Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation, Cleveland Public Theatre February 4-26, 2022
Ensemble: Dayshawnda Ash, Raven Mone’t Bryant, Hayley Johnson, Zyrece Mongomery, Maya Nicholson, Shannon Sharkey, Sydney Smith
Producer – Raymond Bobgan
Line Producer, Director, & Playwright – India Nicole Burton
Stage Manager – Paula S. Washington
Assistant Stage Manager – Eli B. Fuentes Aguirre
Choreographer – Munirah Bomani
Assistant Choreographer – Inali Pichardo
Music Director – Dayshawnda Ash
Costume Designer – Marti Coles
Scenic Designer – Nina Castillo-D’Angier
Wardrobe Assistant – Brielle McGrew
Understudy – Azizah Muhammad
Fight Choreographer – Maya Nicholson
Lighting Designer – Moneé Stamp
Sound Designer – Amy Weaver
“It’s a raw, intense, smart, and exhilarating journey” – Kerry Reid, Chicago Reader
Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation Phoenix Theatre Indy, July 16-17, 2022
Ensemble: Cara Wilson, Chandra Lynch, Avery Elise, veronique Briscue Beuoy, TaMara E’lan G., Arika Casey, AshLee Baskin
Producer-Constance Macy
Director – Amanda Washington
“I would highly recommend seeing Panther Women: Army for the Liberation!” – Caleb Sneeden, Illinois Eagle
Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation Prop Thtr w/Perceptions Theatre April 20-May 27 2023
Ensemble: Maya TW Jones, Alexis Dupree, Jerlaune “Jae”Jenkins, Taylor Talhame, Nia Vines, A’Kiesha Lee, Kendra Renee
Producers – Olivia Lilley & Myesha Tiara
Director – Myesha Tiara
Stage Manager – Lauren Littlejohn
Choreographer – Deja Hood
Costumes & Set Design- Mari DeOleo
Understudies- Raesheyana Gardner, Whitney Pipes, Tyra Grove
“Do not let anything stop you from seeing arguably one of the best storefront productions this year” – Wesley David, Buzz Center Stage
Panther Women: An Army for the Liberation Coalescence Theatre Project April 21st & 28th 2024
Ensemble: Aurora Thorpe, Aneesah Phillips, Jajwanica Johnson, Autumn Nicole, Yaz Hamilton, Francesca Jones, Chynna Miller, and Katecia Ingram
Producer: Don Shandrow
Director Myesha-Tiara
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.