SNF Parkway Theatre selects Wordsmith for its inaugural residency program
With renovations complete, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Parkway Theatre is launching an artist residency program to support local creatives, including Wordsmith, who will present original works blending youth theater, music and storytelling. His productions, including “Uncle Bey’s Will” and “Network to Freedom,” center Black storytelling, history and community, while aiming to uplift Baltimore’s young and emerging artists. The post SNF Parkway Theatre selects Wordsmith for its inaugural residency program appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
Black News 
By Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com
With its renovations now complete, the historic Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Parkway aims to establish itself as a multi-disciplinary performing arts hub in the Baltimore community.
As part of that goal, the theater has launched its inaugural artist residency program with Wordsmith, a renowned poet and lyricist that blends music, storytelling and social impact, as one of the three local artists chosen for the first cohort.
Each resident receives a $6,000 stipend, rehearsal access and technical support to develop original work that will be staged later this year. The other residents are Zane Forshee, an interdisciplinary performance artist working across movement, sound and immersive staging, and Andrea Conte, a theater maker and director focused on devised performance and visual storytelling.
Wordsmith will be producing two evenings of youth theater and music. “Uncle Bey’s Will” is a reinterpretation of Act 2, Scene 1 from Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” with important cultural context that explores family, legacy and loss. The production was developed collaboratively with his students and centers on a father figure who serves as the “nucleus” of his community before his sudden death leaves young people to navigate grief, family divides and growing up amid instability.
“I just felt like telling not just that story, but telling a Black story of how Black families have found so many ways to persevere throughout time,” said Wordsmith.
His second production, “Network to Freedom,” is an orchestral work for a chamber ensemble and choir that brings the history and spirit of the Underground Railroad to life through music and storytelling. With the 250th anniversary of the country happening this year, he says this project is why he chose to apply for the residency, as it had been produced previously at a different venue.
Wordsmith says his ultimate goal with this residency is to showcase the young talent in the city of Baltimore, particularly in areas that may be underserved when it comes to the arts. Overall, he said, the residency presents an opportunity to be in community with others and inspire them.
“I want people to know that they’re heard, they’re seen, they’re valued,” said Wordsmith. He added that he wants people to feel connected to what’s happening on stage. “We’re showing from kids all the way to adults at the highest level of profession that anybody could be up on this stage putting on inspiring works.”
Troy Burton is a Baltimore native with nearly 40 years of experience in the theater community and acted as a juror during the selection of residents. Burton shared that what made Wordsmith unique was being able to exist between both music and spoken word. Burton said he felt connected to all the applicants as he has had to apply for similar opportunities throughout his career. He feels that this residency program is necessary for the arts in Baltimore and is a step in the right direction.
“I think in Baltimore, it’s very important that artists have opportunities like this, but especially artist mentors,” said Burton. “Having the Parkway present its residency, it’s like having a mentor because they will get the support that they need to produce their work.”
“It’s so necessary,” he added. “And we need more like this in Baltimore.”
The post SNF Parkway Theatre selects Wordsmith for its inaugural residency program appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
