New Play 'Othello of Overtown' Merges Shakespeare's Classic with Miami Artist Purvis Young’s Life

Purvis: Othello of OvertownPhoto byGrace Arts Center

MIAMI, September 7, 2024 — A groundbreaking new theatrical production, “Purvis: Othello of Overtown,” reimagines Shakespeare’s classic tragedy through the lens of celebrated Florida painter Purvis Young’s life and work. Two free public readings of selected excerpts are scheduled for October in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

The three-act play, written by Stockton University Artist in Residence Summer Hill Seven with Grace Arts Center Founder Clare Vickery, explores Young’s artistic journey from Overtown’s poverty-stricken streets to an artist with works in the world’s best known museums of modern art.

“This production aims to capture the essence of Purvis Young’s unique artistic vision and his impact on Miami’s cultural landscape,” said Seven. “By interweaving Shakespeare’s themes with Young’s life story, we’re creating a powerful narrative that resonates with both art and theater enthusiasts.”

“The Miami-Dade County Public Library System nurtured Purvis’ talent from the very beginning, connecting his artwork with galleries in New York City and providing his first mural commissions,” said Vickery. “The public library archives contain personal stories and correspondence that surprised me. There is a poignant connection between Shakespeare’s fictional warrior Othello and Purvis Young’s lifelong passion to make art, battles he endured to exhibit his paintings, and live as a working artist.”

Artist Purvis Young| Actor Andre GaineyPhoto byGrace Arts Center

The readings will feature:

• Andre Gainey of M Ensemble in the role of Purvis Young
• Live piano performances by Dillard Center for the Arts graduate Aidan Higgs
• Operatic interpretations by DCotA alumna Anieyla Wells-Miller

Dates and locations:

• Oct. 16, 6:15–7:30 p.m., Broward County Main Library, Fort Lauderdale
• Oct. 19, 2–4 p.m., Miami-Dade Public Library System, Main Library Miami

Miami-Dade Public Libraries’ permanent art collection, including many artworks by Young, can be viewed in person and online.

Community members inspired by Young’s work are invited to share their stories following each reading.

The full production is slated to open in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in April 2025.

The project is sponsored in part by The Community Foundation of Broward: Loren R. Lyons Fund, Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund, The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Broward Community Fund, Miami- Dade Public Library System, Broward County Cultural Division, Broward County Library, and generous donations from individuals who share Grace Arts Center’s mission.

For media inquiries, contact: Tandaleya Wilder, Senior Publicist She Got Game Media (305) 520–9703 or sggmedia305@gmail.com

For more information please contact Clare Vickery at Grace Arts Florida

About Grace Arts Center:

Grace Arts Center’s (GAC) public charity (501.c3) status in 2011 provided a platform for GAC to formally ‘…take art beyond gallery walls’ of the original art business that fostered free cultural programming in the community. Grace Arts Center’s mission is to create and connect three distinct areas of general programming resulting in sustained cultural collaborations and revitalization of South Florida communities. Projects feature cultural exhibits (including visual art and film projects), theater performances and urban design engagements by leading regional Innovators to entertain, educate and extend services annually to communities with less access to the transforming impact of the arts.

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