The Alabama Gospel Center and Miles College are proud to partner in presenting “Crowns, A Gospel Play by Regina Taylor” based on the award winning book by Michael Cunningham and performed by the Miles College Humanities Division.
The play is part of a series of events taking place throughout the month of April. It includes the special guest lecture by Cunningham, co-author of the book, Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats, which features his photography. Crowns is the first of three photo essay books that Cunningham has produced to capture the culture that inspires his photography.
“Crowns: A Gospel Musical by Regina Taylor” is based on Cunningham’s book. The students of Miles College will present the play this weekend, April 19-21, at the Abraham Woods Auditorium at Miles College.
In the play, Chicago-born Yolanda is sent down South after the death of her brother. When she arrives, she finds strength in the tales of the wise women who surround her—and the powerful rituals connected to their dazzling hats. This jubilant musical traces the roots of Gospel through contemporary hip hop, fusing rich storytelling with abundant “hattitude” into a stirring coming-of-age tale. Crowns is a not-to-be-missed celebration of song, dance, cultural history—and glamorous headwear.
To purchase tickets, call the Miles Humanities Office at 205-929-1659.
The third event in the series is Michael Cunningham’s “Crowns:The Exhibit.” The traveling exhibit features a collection of black and white photographs from the book and will be on display at Miles College Library from April 1-May 1, 2013. The event is free and open to the public during normal library hours.
Much more than a simple adornment, the hat is a crowning touch that a black woman selects for her Sunday ensemble. Her crown is an elegant, exuberant statement about herself and the relationship she has with her church. No simple chapeaus, these hats tend to be head-turning headpieces that defy anyone to not take notice and demand, not only attention, but an affirming nod of acknowledgement and admiration. For professional photographer Michael Cunningham, his witnessing of churchwomen wearing what he calls “crowns” was so compelling he had to capture the images on black and white film to create both a book and an exhibition.
Cunningham’s portraits reveal far more than a sense of personal style. Those who proudly pose in hats are reminders of the cultural and spiritual influences that have inspired this tradition for generations of women. Even more is revealed as the photographer goes beneath the brim to bring out the individual stories of these women, personal information that accompanies their photograph.
“Crowns: The Exhibit” has traveled the U.S., receiving attention from the national press. The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum featured the images in the Locating the Spirit in African-American Art collection. Cunningham currently serves as the Executive Director of Urban Shutterbugs, a nonprofit organization aimed at teaching the fine art of black and white photography to the inner-city youth of Washington D.C.
Crowns: The Play Details
Admission Info:
$25 for Friday Performance
$35 for Saturday Performance and Cast Reception
$25 for Sunday Performance
Individual Dates & Times: *
Apr 19, 2013: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Fri)
Apr 20, 2013: 6 pm – 8 pm (Sat)
Apr 20, 2013: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Sat)
Apr 21, 2013: 3 pm – 5 pm (Sun)
Apr 21, 2013: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Sun)
* Event durations (if noted) are approximate. Please check with the presenting organization or venue to confirm start times and duration.
Phone: 205-929-1659
