playbill vip

A Note from the Director

It has been such an honor to recreate a remarkable piece of theatrical history like Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. This year, I have had the honor of directing both challenging and purposeful plays that were created to speak life into the community. I believe that community is the heartbeat of theater. Likewise, theater is the heartbeat of the community.

I want to thank The Liberty Theatre for being a place where creative minds join in artistic expression of society’s trials, tribulations and triumphs with the hope to invoke positive images into this world’s eyes. When I direct a production, finding the correct blend of purpose and entertainment is one of my main goals.

With this production of the Black Nativity, the goal is that through the genious material that Hughes crafted that you feel a renewed sense of faith. It is my hope that you walk away with a renewed energy to affect positive changes in your life, and the lives of others.

On behalf of myself, the Musical Director, Ryan Hardman, the wonderful cast and crew, and the Liberty Theatre, we invite you to delight in the precious moments that took place on a stable floor in Bethlehem some thousands of years ago – the birth of Christ.

With High Regards,

Shani Dowdell

Music Direction by Ryan Hardman, Sr

Ryan Hardman, Sr. grew up in the metro Atlanta area, studied Music Industry at Morris Brown College, and enjoys songwriting, singing, directing, composing, and producing music. From birth, he would have no choice but to be influenced by music.  His father was a church musician, his mother sings, and a host of family members are singers and musicians.