Reece McKenzie and Daniel Williams: Black Representation in Musical Theatre

Black History Month / Reece McKenzie and Daniel Williams: Black Representation in Musical Theatre

Reece McKenzie graduated from The University of Wolverhampton with a first-class degree in Musical Theatre and Drama in 2019. Reece has just completed his MA studies at Associated Studios, and recently performed his first solo show Do You Get Your Hair Permed? at the Newhampton Arts Centre and the Arena Theatre. Reece's credits include Godspell (Ye Olde Rose and Crown), Hair (The Playground Theatre) and Chess (The Arena Theatre).

Daniel Williams is a University of Wolverhampton graduate who has worked as a musical director and performer across the Black Country. Daniel recently accompanied Reece McKenzie's solo show Do You Get Your Hair Permed?, and his original song cycle was premiered at the Arena Theatre in 2018.

Dr James Lovelock is a musical theatre academic with a background in improvising and creating musical theatre. He was the original musical director for Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, and his musical Sunshine Guy was premiered at the University of Birmingham in 2013 and subsequently performed at the Landor Theatre in February 2013 as part of the From Page to Stage series. James is the director of Baron Sternlook Productions, which produced two full runs of Baron Sternlook's Improvised Musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2014 and 2015 and continues to perform regularly in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
James has over 15 years of teaching experience and has presented papers at both national and international conferences.

This talk was recorded on 1st November 2021.

Black History Month 2021

Rich Fann: American Higher Education's approach to Inclusivity / Elsie Gayle: How The Windrush Generation Helped Build The NHS / Machel St Patrick Hewitt: West Indian Cricket Culture in the 21st Century British Context / Rich Fann: Black Representation Beyond Black History Month / Ifemu Omari Webber: This Book Was Not Meant For Us - A Fresh Look at the History of Mary Prince / Reece McKenzie and Daniel Williams: Black Representation in Musical Theatre / Elizabeth Ivwurie: Cultural Appropriation in the Film, Music and Fashion Creative Industries

Black History Month 2020

In Conversation with Roy McFarlane / Restoring the lost history of Black theatre performers in the West Midlands 1900 – 1950 / Daliso Chaponda Joking about Race, Politics and Your Lovelife without Offending People, Getting Cancelled or Arrested or Divorced / Remembering Paulette Wilson / In Conversation: Dr Max Stewart and Glass Artist Chris Day / From Volunteer to CEO, Marcia Lewinson discusses the challenges facing women of colour / We Want Our Bodies Back – Jessica Care Moore / Windrush Generation Experiences Online, Talk and Q&A /100 Greatest Black Britons: Patrick Vernon / The Whip: In conversation with Juliet Gilkes-Romero