Join us on The Public Good. This week we speak with Maria Ta, Program Director at Ujima Company, Inc, and Brian Brown, an Ujima Company Member. A PPG Partner, Ujima Co. is a multi-ethnic and multicultural professional theater whose primary purpose is the preservation, perpetuation, and performance of African American theater by providing working opportunities for established artists and training experience for aspiring artists. 

As Program Director, Maria works to expand the reach and depth of Ujima and spread the magic of Ujima to young theater artists near and far. And as a Company Member, Brian has starred in several productions including "Free Fred Brown" and "Passing Strange."  

Maria and Brian will be discussing Ujima’s upcoming show Spunk with music by George Wolfe and directed by Founding Company Member Sarah Norat-Phillips. The show runs from May 13-29, with a special performance on May 12 following the Lorna C. Hill Theater naming and dedication and special exhibits dedicated to Ms. Lorna C. Hill's legacy. 

They'll also comment on Ujima’s practice of devised theater and how it’s been used to help advocate for lead-safe housing, and Ujima’s involvement in Frontline Arts Buffalo (FAB), a collective of local institutions advocating for arts based cultural organizations in Buffalo, NY.