10th Annual Black Nativity
By Langston Hughes 2025
A Milwaukee holiday favorite, Black Nativity by Langston Hughes returns for its 10th annual musical production. Hughes’ joyous holiday musical is a testament to his timeless work, telling the story of the Nativity through a combination of scripture, poetry, dance and song from the African-American perspective.
Each year, Black Arts MKE showcases MKE-based professionals including seasoned and emerging theater talent of color. We provide opportunities for next-gen artists to display their artistic skills and work alongside talented local theatre professionals and the Marcus Center’s outstanding backstage professionals.
This year’s Black Nativity by Langston Hughes is led by the incomparable Sheri Williams Pannell. Show leadership includes returning veteran Music Director Antoine Reynolds Sr., Stage Manager Melissa Wanke*, returning Lighting Designer Colin Gawronski, returning Scenic Designer Ron Scot Fry, Costume Designer Amy Horst* and Choreography led by nationally recognized Davien Kaeson Holton.
Black Arts MKE 10th Anniversary Season is generously supported by Bader Philanthropies, Forest County Potawatomi Community, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Gruber Law Offices, Harri Hoffman Foundation, Herzfeld Foundation, and Johnson Controls Foundation.
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Director
Sheri Williams Pannell
I was honored to be invited by Black Arts MKE to direct their 10th Anniversary Production of Black Nativity by Langston Hughes. It is my goal to maintain the spirit of faith, hope, and joy in the birth of the Christ Child, which Hughes so lovingly expressed in his musical, while infusing African American traditions practiced during the holiday season, especially on New Year’s Eve known in the Black community as Watch Night.”
10th Anniversary Cast
RETURNING:
Brian Crawford
Cynthia Cobb*
D'Shaunta Stewart
Selena McKnight
Zoe Chambers
INTRODUCING:
Alyna Williams
Ashley Nash
Derrick Sanders
Earnie Bell
Ja'Kira Austin
Marvin Hannah
Najee Robinson
Ryan Smith
Group tickets
About Black Arts MKE
Black Arts MKE’s mission is to increase the availability and quality of African American arts and culture. We’re a Black-led performing arts organization who serves predominantly Black communities. We produce, present, and/or commission new performance arts works including classic works, readings, conversations, and festivals, as well as Black-led institutions focused on Black audience development, all rooted in the full diversity, complexity, and intersectionality of the Black Experience.
