What's in a name? Everything. And possibly nothing. It's all about what we put into it, the power we give its meaning and what we do to live up to it. This is what my new play explores. Through drama, comedy, and thought-provoking dialogue the "
The Naming Ceremony" follows Ada Kalu, a Nigerian-American, in her last stage of pregnancy as she struggles with what to name her expected son. When her baby's father, Tony Phillips, an African-American, advocates for suggestions of names a clash of cultures ensues between their families. Ultimately, the play investigates the importance of names and cultural identities in a world where globalization convolutes our ethnic make-up.
I recently held the 1st public reading for this piece at
Center Stage NY. To my surprise and delight, it was presented to a standing room only audience that gave us a great response when it was over! I am still getting texts and emails from people congratulating me on the work and I am very thankful for that. It is humbling, yet empowering, to make art that speaks to the people.
I am looking forward to seeing this project in full production this year and collaborating with the great artists that help to tell this story. This one is for the Afropolitans, our generation. This is our time, our lives, our ceremony. Let's give it a name.
