Presented as part of the ACTLab Solo Fest
Dare to Claim the Sky
Dates: February 6–February 9, 2020
Run time: Approximately 60 minutes
Location: Lalie Theatre
In a journey through her honest and unfiltered body of work, Seattle-based storyteller Sharon Nyree Williams invites you into her proverbial living room for a frank conversation about faith, family, and the joy and pain of being Black in America.
Sharon Nyree Williams is a storyteller and arts administrator. She is the Executive Director for the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas, which presents, produces, and develops multidisciplinary work by Black artists and provides access for courageous conversations to diverse audiences. Sharon is the founder of The Mahogany Project, a theatre arts collaborative that focuses on allowing Blak artists an opportunity to share their voice. She also serves on the Seattle Arts Commission, Board of Trustees for Cornish College of the Arts, Langston Board of Directors, FEED Worldwide Advisory Board, Adult Advisory Committee for Creative Justice and proud member of the 2009 Seattle University Master of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership graduate. Sharon is also proud to be a graduate of the Historical Black College, Delaware State University with two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts in Television Production and a Masters of Business Administration.
As an artist Sharon has produced short films, Swipe, What About Us, and From the Heart. She’s written and performed solo performance pieces Plight: I Am My Brother’s Keeper, and Circles of Life. Sharon has produced two poetry and storytelling albums, her debut Humanity and The Consciousness of Love which was the recipient of the 2014-15 Jack Straw Cultural Center’s Artist Support Fellowship. She is currently working on her third album, Shook.
Sharon loves telling stories about her life, the lessons she’s learned, and the things she’s observed with a hope that she will reach at least one person that can relate to her experiences. She believes in making us as individuals and as a community stronger through the power of storytelling.
ACT believes that our patrons can determine what is offensive for themselves, and what is appropriate for their children. We don’t create age restrictions but do our best to offer content advisories for each show. For detailed information about show content and possible triggers, please contact communications@acttheatre.org.
“Each one of [Sharon’s] stories leaves me feeling like I’m a member of her great, big family and that, not only will I be taken care of, but that it’s high time that I paid a deeper attention and starting taking care of those around me. She tells the most important kind of story—one that opens a space for the rest of us want to tell our own.”
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