Z Space: Artist-in-Residence Austin Dean Ashford’s (I)sland T(rap) and Black Book

Join Z Space 2024 Artist-in-Residence Austin Dean Ashford for two of his innovative works in rep:
(I)sland T(rap)

AND
Black Book

From February 1st – 10th
At Z Below

(I)sland T(rap): The Epic Remixology of the Odyssey
A hip-hop riff about Black Ulysses on an Odyssey of self-discovery and a powerful exploration of a young artist of color navigating the turbulent waters of contemporary American culture while trying to find his authentic voice. (I)sland T(rap) has lyrical poetry, live music, and commentary on Black experience in America, this tour-de-force charts a soul journey on an exotic island where Black Ulysses discovers his place in a society full of gun violence and oppression.

Black Book
Welcome to Melvin Tolson High School—it’s summer school, it’s hot, the barbwire fence is fixed, and a young African American boy has been shot, leaving his group of friends reeling from the loss and wondering if their voices can ever be heard. Enter a former Great Debater to teach a master class on public speaking and challenge this group of boys to speak out and give voice to their hopes and fears. Filled with pressing issues, inspiring characters, and graced with comic flourishes, this one-person dramedy debates what happens to young minds when our educational spaces begin to resemble a prison more than school and a place to learn and grow.

Schedule

(I)stand Trap and Black Book are running on alternate nights, with the exception of Saturdays, which will feature both shows separated by a short intermission.

We have a great double feature practice for the Saturday shows, $50 for both shows (normally $35 single tickets).

Thurs 2/1 – (I)sland T(rap), 7:30pm
Fri 2/2 – Black Book, 7:30pm
Sat 2/3 – (I)sland T(rap) 6:00 pm and Black Book 8:00pm, approx. 45 minute intermission between the two shows

Thurs 2/8 – Black Book, 7:30pm
Fri 2/9 – (I)sland T(rap), 7:30pm
Sat 2/10 – (I)sland T(rap) 6:00 pm and Black Book 8:00pm, approx. 45 minute intermission between the two shows

Austin Dean Ashford is a storyteller, solo artist, and educator originally from the Bay Area and is a 2024 Z Space Artist-in-Residence. His dynamic performance style runs the gamut from deeply technical physical performance to spoken word and rap to original ukulele songwriting, most often all in one instance. Ashford’s exploration of genre-bending solo performance and his talent with words and rhythm are a perfect fit for Z Space’s experimental and expansive development of new works.

In addition to these performances, we are also excited to support the development of two new solo shows written and performed by Ashford, PinocchiAndre and Rap Monologues, by providing each play a two-week developmental process culminating in staged readings of his work. Performance dates for these works will be announced early in 2024. Ashford follows in the footsteps of other fabulous Artists-in-Residence including The Bengsons, Peter Nachtrieb, and most recently Thrillride Mechanics.