Selected
Assistant directing
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.
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 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
Cast of Panther Women Cycle 2
From 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
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:
Andrea Belser-McCormick
De’Aja Monet
AFeaturing 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 3
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
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