kudzu calling
May 29–June 8, 2025
By Donnetta Lavinia Grays
Octagon Stage | Recommended Ages 17+
This interweaving of poems and moments seeks to expand and complicate the Southern narrative – a celebration of Black Southern love, queerness, playfulness, culture, and spirituality. It is the playwright’s love letter to the place that made her.
*World Premiere
This piece includes lyric poetry and prose that explores LGBT+ themes and tropes, southern culture, and spirituality. It is recommended only for mature audiences. Please click on “Show Guidelines” for detailed content information.
SPECIAL EVENTS
ASF Insights | May 31 | 12:45pm | Patrons Lobby | Free & Open to All
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the work on stage and the art of theatre.
Weaving Story and Design: A Conversation with Ramona Ward
Join ASF Artistic Director Quin Gresham and costume designer Ramona Ward for a unique, behind-the-scenes conversation on the making of Kudzu Calling, a powerful world premiere by Donnetta Lavinia Grays.
This ASF Insights discussion will explore how a designer works in a collaborative process to bring a new play to life on stage.
Ramona Ward is a tenured Associate Professor of Theatre and costume designer in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Alabama State University. She received her BA in Theatre Arts from The Pennsylvania State University and her MFA from Memphis State University in Theatre Arts, Design, and Technical Production. She is an artisan and graphic artist and has served as a curator, producer, and arts administrator. She brings her extensive knowledge in those areas to her work in theatre.
Ramona has designed several productions at ASF including Shoebox Picnic Road Side Route One, Ruby: The Ruby Bridges Story, and recently The Watsons Go to Birmingham.
Don’t miss this engaging dialogue on Southern voices, art, and creativity.
The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.