Backstage Stories

Thu, Jan 15, 2026 21:00 PM

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Hosts: Marcia Pendleton, theater marketing & audience development expert

Topics:

Broadway, Black Men, & Mental Health: A HARLEM WEEK conversation -

Synopsis:

On Backstage Stories, Marcia Pendelton offers behind-the-scenes looks at the arts, culture, and entertainment through in-depth conversations with diverse voices from the global community.

This special edition of Backstage Stories features one of the HARLEM WEEK festival’s “Harlem On My Mind” conversations that addressed the often-stigmatized topic of mental health within the arts and culture community, particularly among men of color. The conversation featured prominent male Broadway performers, actors, directors, and playwrights, who shared candid, intergenerational perspectives on navigating the intense emotional and professional pressures of the arts industry; vulnerability; professional burnout, seeking support, and dismantling the cultural stigmas surrounding mental health.

Guests:

In last name alphabetical order: -
· Jordan E. Cooper, performer and award - winning playwright, producer, director of the acclaimed production, “Ain’t No Mo.”
· Glenn Davis, a co - artistic director of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and Tony nominated for his performance in the Pulitzer prize winning play, "Purpose"
· Harry J. Lennix, seen on TV on “The Blacklist, on screen in “Ray,” and “The Five Heartbeats,” and on Broadway in “Radio Golf” and “Purpose” -
· Donna Walker - Kuhne, author and Audience Development expert
· Charles Randolph Wright, director of the smash hits "Motown: The Musical," "Sophisticated Ladies," and more. -

Playlist:

N/A -

Info / Links:

HARLEM WEEK: https://harlemweek.com/replay-2025/
WBAI:
- To donate: https://wbai.org/donate/
- To volunteer or intern: https://wbai.org/volunteers-interns.php

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