Atlantic Theater Company in NYC Announces the Judith Champion Caribbean MixFest

NYC's Atlantic Theater Company will present the Judith Champion Caribbean MixFest, a week-long celebration of Caribbean storytelling. This free reading series, set to take place from September 14th through September 20th at Atlantic’s Stage 2, promises to showcase the rich cultural diversity of the Caribbean through the works of emerging and established playwrights.

Photo byPhoto by Monica Silvestre

Curated by theater artists Cristina Angeles and Patrice Johnson Chevannes, and co-produced by Jean Carlo Yunén A., the festival will feature readings of full-length plays by Nelson Diaz-Marcano, Fedna Jacquet, Iraisa Ann Reilly, Karl O’Brian Williams, and La Daniella. Additionally, Atlantic Theater Company has commissioned short one-acts from Karina Billini, Nehassaiu deGannes, Juliette Jeffers, Phanésia Pharel, and Erlina Ortiz, offering audiences a unique blend of narratives that delve into the complexities of Caribbean life and identity.

In 2020, the Atlantic Theater Company hosted a virtual African Caribbean MixFest, but this year marks the return of these stories to the stage, bringing with it an opportunity to experience the vibrancy and resilience of Caribbean voices in person.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to present new Caribbean stories in person,” said Atlantic Theater Company’s Artistic Director, Neil Pepe, in a press release. “This incredible group of artists, gathered by our friends Cristina Angeles, Patrice Johnson Chevannes, and Jean Carlo Yunén A., will bring the diversity and richness of Caribbean culture to life on our stage.”

Cristina Angeles, one of the co-curators, emphasized the importance of this festival in highlighting Caribbean voices: “The diversity in the languages we speak, the food we eat, the music we make, and the stories we tell is vast. This year’s MixFest encourages audiences to learn more, dive deeper, and support the stories that may seem unfamiliar at first, while still revealing the countless commonalities we share.”

Patrice Johnson Chevannes added, “People of Caribbean descent make up close to 25% of New York’s population. Yet so few plays are produced in NYC theaters that augment our voices and experiences. This festival endeavors to amplify the voices of Caribbean-American writers whose work spans the gamut of the human experience peppered with Caribbean accents, attitudes, rhythms, and dialects.”

MixFest co-producer Jean Carlo Yunén A. echoed these sentiments, highlighting the festival’s role in celebrating the Caribbean diaspora’s rich cultural history: “I hope our audiences resonate with these powerful stories and are moved by the beauty of our community.”