To Be Young, Gifted and Black

Lorraine Hansberry—playwright of "A Raisin in the Sun"—changed the landscape of American theatre forever. "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" gathers her words, letters, and memories into a powerful mosaic of one woman’s journey toward truth, art, and justice.

Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival is proud to collaborate with Black Theatre Troupe to bring this groundbreaking work to audiences across Arizona. With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Arizona Humanities Commission, this production will tour alongside a traveling display about Hansberry’s life and legacy, inviting audiences to explore the intersections of art, activism, and identity.

In Flagstaff, performances will feature post-show talkbacks with local scholars and artists, and playwriting workshops designed to help emerging voices in our community find their own stories and bring them to life on stage.

Join us for an unforgettable celebration of resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of storytelling. Experience the play that continues to inspire generations to dream, to fight, and to write.