Showcasing NYCHA’s Talented Community
Some talented members of the NYCHA community showcased their singing, dancing, and poetry skills at the NYCHA Resident Showcase held at the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) in Manhattan on March 9.
The event was a partnership between NYCHA, the Public Housing Community Fund, and PAC NYC. NYCHA and the Public Housing Community Fund invited performers to submit audition videos for the showcase and selected performers participated in rehearsals before joining one another on the PAC NYC Lobby Stage.
For 45 years, NYCHA held an annual talent show that featured resident acts from across the five boroughs; the last talent show was held in May 2015. The March showcase wasn’t a competition as in years past, but rather a chance to highlight the art culture in the NYCHA community.
“The revival of NYCHA’s Resident Showcase is a beacon of hope and unity, promising benefits beyond mere entertainment,” Alex Zablocki, Executive Director of the Public Housing Community Fund, said. “The Public Housing Community Fund and NYCHA, in partnership with the Perelman Performing Arts Center, believe these events serve as a platform for residents to converge, showcasing their talents and fostering a profound sense of community and belonging. We are excited to bring back this cherished tradition and craft new, unforgettable memories. The shows help reinforce the community’s identity and heritage and align with the Fund’s goal of supporting art and culture programs in public housing communities.”
The event was emceed by Rodney Gwyn, Senior Strategic Project Manager on NYCHA’s Resident Services, Partnerships, and Initiatives team, and featured eight performers. It was held at the Lobby Stage of PAC NYC, which offers free performances that are open to the public.
“These eight talented individuals kept my adrenaline pumping, considering we were only able to meet twice, to construct this delicious showcase,” said Mr. Gwyn. “Their professionalism and artistry made it quite comfortable to not only produce the showcase, but to emcee it as well. Hosting the show felt very natural after spending time getting to know each of the performers. For the short of amount of time spent, we became a family.”
Spoken word artist and Farragut Houses resident Tanja Richardson, whose poet name is “Fatal,” presented an original poem in celebration of Women’s History Month: “I was invited to be part of this showcase because I’m involved with the Intergenerational Community Arts Council (ICAC). We are a group of individuals that create art in the community. I think this event was amazing and would love to be invited to do this again.”
Two resident association presidents participated in the showcase: Redfern Houses Resident Association President Kimberly Comes and Mariner’s Harbor Resident Association President Kiko Charles. Ms. Charles was the only dancer of the evening, entertaining the audience with a performance set to Natalie Cole’s song, “This Will Be.” Ms. Comes, who sang Roberta Flack’s version of “Killing Me Softly,” is an actress and singer who has been performing since she was a child. She won the NYCHA talent show twice: in 1999 and 2008 singing “Home” from “The Wiz.”
Ms. Comes said, “I enjoy performing and getting involved with the community, so this event was amazing — all of it, from the rehearsals to the show. I really enjoyed it, and I’m really a star!”
Singer Jennifer Miller from Stanley Isaacs Houses is another past NYCHA talent show winner. She won first place in the senior category at the 2015 show with her rendition of “Close to You” by The Carpenters. During the showcase, Ms. Miller sang “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban; her second song, “This Little Light of Mine,” featured her fellow performers as backup singers. Ms. Miller was joined by her husband Vincent Miller, who played the keyboard throughout the performance.
“Three months ago, I was diagnosed with cancer again and I was feeling on a total roller coaster over it,” Ms. Miller said. “Rose [the Isaacs Houses resident association president] called me and told me about this showcase and asked if I wanted to be there. That’s why I’m here today. Before I got the diagnosis I had been standing in front of our church and said, ‘God, whatever it takes. If you want me to share this gift with the people of this community, I will.’ I’m willing to do that. My bottom line is, I’ve got to let my light shine.”
The youngest performer to take the stage was Kaira Green from Pink Houses. She sang “Stay” by Rihanna. She hoped to inspire other young people to get involved with community events, stating, “I wanted to be a change to my community, and I hope my participation shows youngsters like me or people who step into my shoes one day that they can be changemakers as how I see myself as a changemaker.”
Two classical singers took the stage: William Butron of Wilson Houses sang “An Die Music” by Franz Schubert and “Begin the Beguine” by Cole Porter; Magalie Joseph sang “O Sole Mio” in Italian, Haitian Creole, and English.
Ms. Joseph said, “I was so glad to be part of this show with all of this beautiful talent. This showcase was spectacular, fabulous. It’s so amazing that NYCHA has so much talent. It’s unbelievable. We’re going to do this more often so that everyone can hear and see all the talent.”
Alexis McCain performed as Tina Turner singing “Simply the Best,” noting that it was an honor to pay homage to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. After Ms. McCain’s performance, all of the talented artists sang and danced to the finale song, “We Are the World,” by USA for Africa, conducted by Mr. Gwyn.
“This was an awesome performance held PAC NYC,” Ms. McCain said. “We came together to give the people, the community, our love and support and let them know that we are the world, we are strong, and together we will win.”
NYCHA residents interested in sharing their talents will soon have the chance to do so once again. According to Mr. Zablocki, “The NYCHA Talent Showcase offers an opportunity for residents to take the stage in the brand-new Perelman Performing Arts Center Lobby Stage, and this first set of acts will set the stage for many more residents to follow after the curtain goes up.” Mark your calendars: The next show is scheduled for Saturday, June 8, 2024.