A story for all times

Black Nativity tells the story of the birth of the Christ Child from the point of view of black Americans in the early twentieth century. Amid the the hilly streets of Bethlehem, a hotel with butlers and maids is set and filled with gospel music and gossipy chatter. In it the Holy Family find themselves surrounded by ordinary folk who welcome their message and sing it with joy. Though based on New Testament gospels, we offer the story as a testament to the joy of new births and to the hope that fills persons of “good will” from all traditions. Our message is one of transformation and spiritual uplift.


Boston’s Black Nativity

The National Center of Afro-American Artists offers it production of Black Nativity to Boston—and all the world—as a gift to people of “good will” from all spiritual traditions and cultural backgrounds, through music, dance, spoken words and theater, Black Nativity lifts everyone toward a greater appreciation of our shared humanity. Its empathetic embrace of fragility and hope stirs us to commit anew to lives of peace and justice.


What’s amazing in Black Nativity

  • Our Black Nativity pioneered several features that have been widely copied in other productions, but that remain trademarks of our show.
  • Unlike the original production, our Black Nativity brings together the gleeful voices of children of all ages in a glorious rhapsody of sound.
  • A dramatic pas de deux introduces the birth of the Christ Child that is accomplished to the pulse of African drums right before your eyes.
  • Colorful dialogue and delightful poetic passages knit the production together with gospel and jazz-inflected music give the show an eternally fresh and energetic edge. There are event hints of Hip-Hop.
  • There are no comparable shows that so beautifully capture the Nativity story as an American tale.

How does it happen?

Black Nativity has a cast exceeding seventy-five, including dancers, narrators, soloists, choristers, drummers and percussionists, magi, and musicians. The adult performing cast has 55 members plus 12 children many performing for the first time before an audience. Upward to two-thirds of performers have been in previous casts. Backstage, support cast and volunteers add an additional 30 staff members. The performing cast and technical crew function under the auspices of the senior production team.*


Black Nativity and its legacy

  • Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity of 1963 was the inspiration for our production, however the NCAAA version has been profoundly stamped by its own artistic masters.
  • The 1970 production was under the overall auspices of NCAAA Founder and Artistic Director Elma Lewis.
  • Musical arrangements and adaptation were set by John Andrew Ross, NCAAA Music Director (1970-2006).
  • Choreography was set by George Howard, an exponent of the Dunham Dance Method dance and teacher of present choreographer Desiree Springer.
  • Staging was set by NCAAA Director of Drama Vernon Blackman who was also teacher and mentor to present producer/director Voncille Ross.
  • African drums and percussion were set by the noted Nigerian master Michael Babatunde Olatunji, who was teacher and mentor to Stephen O’Neal who still oversees the drummers.

Venue

  • Black Nativity is presented at the Paramount Center in Boston’s Theater District. The production is mounted in cooperation and collaboration with ArtsEmerson which owns and programs the facility.