Playwriting
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
