Kansas African American Museum dives into performing arts with ‘Canaan’

A theatrical production next weekend is one of the first steps for The Kansas African American Museum to educate beyond its walls.

“The Kansas African American Museum is considering a variety of ways to tell the African American story, our history, highlighting culture and art,” museum executive director Denise Sherman said. “To have a performing arts opportunity is something we haven’t had before and was exciting and intriguing.”

The museum will present the drama “Canaan,” by playwright and Wichita native Micah Ariel Watson, next weekend at the Crown Uptown Theatre in Wichita.

“Canaan” is set in 1968, on a front porch in Washington, D.C.

“It’s at sort of an intersection between the civil rights movement and the Black power movement,” Watson said from the University of Virginia, where she is an artist in residence at her alma mater. “It’s really a story about community and love and family, against the backdrop of this political shift.”

A Wichita Collegiate grad who is also a screenwriter and filmmaker, Watson said she wants to spur conversation with the play, which won awards when she wrote it as a college student.

“I’m not really a playwright who tries to give one specific message in my work,” she said. “I want people walking away asking questions about where they see themselves in the community and what their purpose is in different communities they live in.”

Sherman said she also hopes it gets its audience talking.

“It gives us an opportunity to reflect and consider and ponder and start a conversation about what has changed and what has remained,” she said.

“Canaan” is directed by Sheila Kinnard, her first time directing adults after teaching drama for 17 years at Mayberry Cultural & Fine Arts Magnet Middle School.

“It tells a story that young people can learn from, and older people will remember and reflect, and hopefully think about where we’re going in the future,” she said.

Among the cast members are Shirley Smith and Shareika Fisher.

“I’m just learning to work with all these young thespians,” said Smith, who was a young adult in 1968. “They’re so talented.”

Fisher said she’s bonded with the other cast members.

“It’s really been amazing to learn more about these peoples’ personal lives, and we’ve grown as a family at the same time,” she said.

Other cast members are Shon Michael Anderson, Gregory Cole, Cydnee Reese, Ke’Juan Moses, Emerson Ross and David Williams.

Each of the three performances next weekend will include meals. Friday will include small plates and a cash bar. The Saturday performance features a prime rib dinner. The Sunday afternoon matinee will include a Sunday’s Best Southern dinner.

“We’re going to feed your body with good food and we’re going to feed your soul with a good story,” Kinnard said.

‘CANAAN’

When: 8 p.m. Friday, April 1 (doors open at 7); 8 p.m. Saturday, April 2 (doors open at 6) and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 3 (doors open at noon)

Where: Crown Uptown, 3207 E. Douglas

Tickets: $40-$45 Friday, $100-$125 Saturday and $65-$80 Sunday, from tkaamuseum.org/canaan or 262-7651