Sankofa: The Return of Double Ax Max

Tues, Aug 22 - 7:30 PM    The Return of Double Ax Max: a radio play By Karen D. Culley Directed By Reuben J. Tapp

Wed, Aug 23 - 7:30 PM    The Return of Double Ax Max: a radio play By Karen D. Culley Directed By Reuben J. Tapp

The Return of Double Ax Max August 22-23, 2023

Written by Karen Culley Directed by Reuben J. Tapp

From the disturbing pen of Karen D. Culley(The Green Book Chronicles)

Welcome To The Lilly and Kaleidoscope) comes a frightful tale of epic proportions, in the tradition of campfire stories, radio dramas, and spooky American legends (i.e., Legend of Sleepy Hollow) with a mix of suspense. Double Ax Max, the heroic spirit that avenges those in which justice has been tainted, returns to even the score. Max is pulled to the current day, 1960, to fight injustice, more than 100 years since he first avenged his Lena, who was sold away during slavery. Previously, the souls of the departed and enslaved assisted "runaways" in navigating the wild terrain to escape the slavecatchers, and now they assist those seeking justice. The Return of The Legend of Double Ax Max and the Shadow People will have audiences wondering about those sounds that go bump in the night and what kind of karma awaits evil-doers. For America, slavery was only the beginning. It created a debt that the Shadow People aim to help collect!!! . Now Max brings his axes to chip away at Jim Crow, hear it in the tradition of radio dramas in time past.

see all SANKOFA festival details and purchase tickets HERE

The 14th Annual Sankofa Theatre Festival features local African American artists in a one week theatrical festival.

The Sankofa Theatre Festival is an annual theatrical festival primarily of local: playwrights, actors, and directors that come together for one week of theatrical fun. Rochester has long had theatrical productions but has not always had theater festivals, especially that showcase African American playwrights. The Sankofa Theatre Festival is one such festival.

Originally organized to provide opportunities for African American playwrights to mount their works, the festival has been in various venues, but has remained faithful to its initial calling.

Initially, the festival was one of one-act plays; it has grown to three main stage plays for five performances. Though the format and content, to a degree, have expanded(other ethnicities are occasionally produced alongside African American plays) audiences can find comfort in viewing theatrical performances agreeing with the culture represented.

This years featured plays include:  The Return of Double Ax Max: a radio play By Karen D. Culley Directed By Reuben J. Tapp  Mr. Soul! By Laura A. Thomas Directed By Reuben J. Tapp  Blood at the Root By Dominique Morisseau Directed By Reenah Golden

MMB is a project-oriented theatrical organization dedicated to developing original dramatic works by local playwrights, focusing on enhancing writing, directing, and acting skills. Annually, MMB Theatre 1 Project invites local playwrights to submit full-length and one-act plays for staging considerations. Once all entries and scripts are submitted, they are reviewed, and plays are selected.