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Meet The Cast of Spell : A Staged Reading With Music By Joseph L. Edwards

A new theatrical production with music is coming to the Black Box Theatre this October. “Spell”, written and directed by Joseph L. Edwards, alumnus of Syracuse University’s Crouse College of Fine Arts will premiere at The Community Folk Art Center Friday and Saturday, October 24th and 25th at 7:30 p.m.. “Spell” set in ancient times, and also in the present  centers around the love story of a warrior and a princess, who are reincarnated into the modern world as lawyers on opposing sides of a heated court battle. With the guidance of the ancestor spirit Imhotep the pair must unite before it’s too late. This thought provoking and dynamic staged reading invites audiences to reflect on our shared history, divisiveness, and the power of knowledge.  You can purchase your ticket before the show by visiting Community Folk Art Center (Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Saturday 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM). Get to know the actors behind this enchanting story

Joseph L Edwards Joseph L. Edwards As Wharton Tense : Syracuse native, Joseph L. Edwards is a playwright, director, and actor. His stage adaptation of the classic autobiography of Claude Brown’s Manchild In The Promised Land, originally produced at the American Place Theatre, was nominated for an AUDELCO Award for excellence in Black theater and was performed for more than twenty thousand students in New York City and internationally. Joseph won three AUDELCO awards for his critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production of FLY, also presented at the National Black Theater Festival in North Carolina and at the HBO Performance Space in Los Angeles. He has worked with Viola Davis, the late Chadwick Boseman, Chris Rock, and renowned actor and director Stephen McKinley Henderson, and has guest-starred on Law and Order, Law and Order SVU, Rescue Me, and the Netflix series Daredevil. He has also performed in the St. Louis Repertory Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol as the Undertaker, Fezziwig, Solicitor, as well as understudy for Scrooge. He is a 2022 Research and Development Grant recipient from the Arizona Commission on the Arts for his work, The Reparations Project, and wrote, directed and performed the hit one-man play Fly at the Community Folk Art Center in the Spring of 2023. He is thrilled to share the magic of “Spell” with the Syracuse Community. 

Martikah Williams Martikah Williams As  Rina Mency : Martikah Williams, a graduate of the Stella Adler Center for the Arts Professional Conservatory, is a multidisciplinary artist/entrepreneur, teaching artist and arts administrator. She often shares her creativity in educational settings with youth including programs with 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Community Folk Art Center, New York Theatre Workshop and ArtsConnection. As a co-founder of Black Artist Collective CNY and sole founder of Mount Sai Productions, Martikah is most proud of her efforts in developing new works/programs that create paid opportunities for Black, Indigenous and People of Color artists which are rooted in social justice. Within these organizations she works as an artist, advocate, organizer, grant writer and producer. She advocates artists to have access to more funding opportunities and work in arts organizations that are committed to safe and equitable practices. Martikah’s hope is that through her work she will inspire action, intentionally creating more opportunities for independent artists and disenfranchised communities.

Rose Hays Rose Hays As Judge Nyles : Rose Hays (She/Her) is a CNY based actor, dance & fight choreographer, and stage manager. She’s incredibly excited to join the cast of Spell and return to singing on stage! Having graduated college on the tail end of the pandemic, Rose has been busy doing as much live theatre across the world as possible. Some of her favorite productions include Hamlet with Syracuse Shakespeare in the Park’s where she played Horatio and fight directed, The Book of Will with CNY Playhouse where she played Alice Heminges and fight directed, and when she toured Italy with a children’s theatre, performing four shows for different ages and playing such roles as Snow White, Megara, and Lady Marian!
  Rose currently lives in Auburn with her mother, brother, two cats, and one leopard gecko. She and her friends Andie Sagatis and Jon Christiano recently founded Actors of the Round Table, a theatre company where they experiment with mixing live theatre and filmed productions. Keep an eye on their socials to hear about their film slated to release in 2026! Later this year, you’ll be able to see Rose in an Immersive Christmas Carol in Homer as Dilber, Belle, and Fred’s wife. When not doing theatre, you can probably find her procrastinating on whatever she should be doing by reading. Website: www.rosehays.com

Image of Tony Brown at the Community Folk Art center Tony Brown As Imhotep : Tony Brown, a native of Boston, MA, has directed, choreographed, and performed with various theater companies throughout the region. He has an MFA in Acting/Directing from Syracuse University. Performance credit at Syracuse Stage includes “The Wizard of Oz” (Munchkin Mayor/General of the Winkies/Jitterbug). “A Raisin in the Sun” (BoBo), “Death and the King’s Horsemen” (Village Drummer). Syracuse Opera Co.. “Aida” (Lead Dancer), “Babes in Toyland” (Tom), the latter also with the Rochester Opera Co., Oswego Opera Theater, “Threepenny Opera” (Jake). He’s thrilled to be part of this project.

Mookey Van Orden Mookey Van Orden As Narrator : Mookey is an artist, writer, educator, and activist in the Syracuse area. Most recently, her original piece was picked to be performed as a part of Red House’s Inaugural Babelfest. Locally, she has also directed Jesus Christ Superstar at Central New York Playhouse and Issues of Color at CFAC, along with assistant directing Lion King Jr at Thanasis, The Producers and Comb Your Hair (or You’ll Look Like a Slave). She has also worked on The Color Purple (BLAAC) and Fly (Joseph Edwards, CFAC) as stage manager. Mookey is passionate about storytelling, inclusion, justice and truth but -most importantly-about being a mother to her one year old.

Dr. Juhanna Rogers As Vera Brown : Dr. Juhanna Rogers is a native of Newark, New Jersey with family roots in Cross, South Carolina. Her upbringing in both places shapes her commitment to leadership in business, education and the arts. Dr. Rogers earned a bachelor’s degree in Integrative Arts from Penn State University – Altoona. In 2016, Dr. Rogers and seven of her peers made institutional history by completing their doctoral degrees at Indiana University simultaneously and are known nationally as the #Great8.
Today, Dr. Juhanna Rogers is a playwright, director, actress and business executive. Dr.Rogers uses her artwork and experience to address diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts inthe classroom, on campuses, and within organizations. Dr. Rogers’ playwriting and performance work expands the presence of BIPOC artists across mediums. Dr. Rogers also appeared in, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf” at Auburn Public Theatre. She was invited as an artist to speak about the intersections of race and gender in theater at Syracuse Stage and appeared in for the 2021 Poetry and Play series at Syracuse Stage. In 2020 her play, A Gatherin’ Place, opened at Syracuse Stage. The play, done virtually, reviewed by critics as, “… powerful… proves you don’t need to physically be inside the Archbold theater to have an engaging theatrical experience.”
Currently, she is a scholar-artist in residence at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. From 2021 to 2023, she served as visiting artist at the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park located in Cazenovia, NY where she created the Queendom trail, wrote two plays and completed her MFA in playwriting from Goddard College. In 2018, Dr. Rogers created and produced a web series, Behind the Woman. Additionally, in 2019, Juhanna became creator, executive producer and host of Behind the Woman – a YouTube series she developed – in partnership with WCNY/PBS. The show airs across 19 counties in Central New York and is in its sixth season. She is a mother to Nile whom she loves dearly. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.

Dwan Hameed Dwan Hameed As Malik Johnson : Dwan is a Syracuse-based performing artist. He honed his craft at SUNY Oswego, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in theatre. He has showcased his talent in a variety of shows such as “Pippin”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “It’s A Wonderful Life”, “The Color Purple”, “Issues of Color”, and “No Exit”.Additionally, while studying at Lemoyne College, he acted in the Staged Reading“ Moving In Day”. Dwan is eager to continue expanding his creativity and making a lasting impact on the Syracuse performing arts scene.

Andréa Gregori Andrea Gregori As Charlotte Fairfax : Andréa Gregori recently made her Syracuse debut in Titanic, The Musical (Ida Straus) with CNY Playhouse. A professionally trained opera singer, she has performed regionally, nationally, and internationally, including performances at the Newport Music Festival and the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival. Most recently, she was seen in GYPSY (Rose) at the Ti-Ahwaga Performing Arts Center (TCP).
She holds an undergraduate degree in Voice Performance from Temple University and a master’s degree in Arts Administration from the University of Denver. By day, she works as a paralegal at Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP in Binghamton. She is also the Founder & Artistic Director of Theatre Street Productions.

Jim MagnarelliJames Magnarelli As Cornelius Bancroft : James has appeared in numerous productions across Central New York. Recent stage credits include Shakespeare in Love (Fennyman), A Few Good Men (Markinson), The Odd Couple (Speed), One Man, Two Guvnors (Charlie), 1776 (Hancock), Little Shop of Horrors (Mushnick), Lend Me a Tenor (Saunders), Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Val, SALT Award nomination), and Spamalot (Bedevere/ensemble) with CNY Playhouse. Additional performances include Fiddler on the Roof (Lazar Wolf) at Salt City Center for the Performing Arts and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Biggely, SALT Award nomination) with Auburn Players. In addition to his work on stage, James is a musician, an experienced vocalist, and is skilled in a variety of languages including Italian, Russian, Jewish, British, and Cockney.

Manning Harper As Twanda Thompson : Manning Harper is a Sophomore at Syracuse University with a dual major in accounting, TV, radio, and film. For fun, she enjoys film, photography, and watching movies.

 

“Emptiness” Works By Abisay Puentes

The Community Folk Art Center is thrilled to announce the opening of “Emptiness” by Abisay Puentes, a solo exhibition of 25 acrylic on canvas pieces. The exhibition will be on view from September 8th, 2025, to December 15th, 2025, inviting art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in Puentes’ interwoven tapestry of three inseparable languages — poetry, painting, and music.
The exhibition will also feature an interactive video component that intertwines art and classical music. Far from being an occasional addition, this medium expands the experience Puentes has cultivated for years, offering the viewer another gateway into the symbolic and existential narrative that defines his work.
About the Artist:  Abisay Puentes, born in Havana, Cuba and now a resident of Syracuse, New York is a multimedia artist, visual creator, and composer whose work moves naturally between images and sound. His art invites guests to experience both sight and sound in ways that blend the two together. Rather than keeping painting, music, and other performance art forms separate, Puentes encompasses them as part of one creative flow. He expresses this through paintings, prints, drawings, watercolors, videos, poetry, and music, creating environments that fully surround the viewer. By combining visuals, Puentes challenges the usual divisions in art and offers a single, unified experience.

Exhibition Dates : September 8th, 2025, to December 15th, 2025 | Community Folk Art Center, Herbert T. Williams Gallery

 

Faces of The Future : Get To Know Our Student Interns

From Left To Right : Daejhor, Layal, Jada, and Josiah

Get to know our high school and collegiate student interns ; Daejhor, Jada, Layal, and Josiah! This dedicated group of student interns has been lending their talents to the Syracuse PALS Art Camp and STEM From Dance Camp this summer, while also assisting with programming and inventory management. A special thank you to Syracuse University, CNY Works, Say Yes To Education, and On Point For College for making this program possible. 

Daejhor Huddleston: I am a senior at Manhattanville University, and I major in Commercial Dance. I’ve been dancing for 8+ years, with training in Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Ballroom, and Tap. Being a part of the Community Folk Art Center has allowed me the opportunity to share my passion for the arts and inspire the people around me”.

Jada McMullen: Hi! My name is Jada, a rising senior at SUNY Albany set to graduate in May 2026. Working at CFAC has enabled me to engage with my community on a more meaningful level. Getting to know the children and staff has been a wonderful experience, as the people here expose me to different aspects of the creative arts.  Although I major in STEM, I also enjoy musical theater, gaming, and experimenting with various hair and clothing styles. The community at CAC is welcoming and warm, and I encourage everyone to experience it.

Layal Thabet: Hello, I’m Layal and I am a senior at Nottingham High School, class of 2026. For fun I enjoy reading books, cooking, going on hikes, and playing  pickleball, basketball , and volleyball with friends. The Community Folk Art Center is a beautiful place for an internship. Walking around and seeing all the art displayed on the walls brings meaning to your day. The staff is a pleasure to work with, and you learn something new every day.

Josiah Cosby: I’m a senior at the Institute of Technology Central (ITC), class of 2026. My hobbies include sports, fishing, being outdoors, and spending time with friends. I enjoy working at The Community Folk Art Center because I enjoy all of the art, it is a unique experience, and it’s a fun place to work.

 

 

 

 

Lights, Camera, Dance! Syracuse Youth Explore The Wonders of STEM

image of youth on computer

STEM From Dance, a national program with the mission of  encouraging youth to pursue a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, returns to the Community Folk Art Center this year with an exciting new program titled “Lights, Camera, Dance.”

   During the  three-week camp students  learn video production, Artificial Intelligence frameworks, and a variety of dance styles, including ballet, contemporary, and hip hop. Using software platforms Luma and CapCut, students design their own music videos from start to finish and create customized backdrops using green screens.

Guest speaker sessions take place twice a week, where community leaders, including  Martikah Williams, co-founded of the Black Artist Collective CNY (BAC)  and Sofia Gutierrez, CNY Arts Leadership Fellow, share insight on topics including : Improvisation, screen writing, and Zine Making.

This year, we welcome four instructors to the  STEM from Dance  team: Zalika Adjei, Akilah Cage, Mia Funderburg, and Asa Rogers.

image of Zalika Adjei

Zalika Adjei, Dance Facilitator: Zalika has trained with the Dance Theater of Syracuse, Syracuse City Ballet, and Community Folk Art Center- Dance Lab. She is trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and African Dance.

Akilah Cage, Dance Facilitator

Akilah Cage, Dance Facilitator: Akilah is a Teacher within the Syracuse City School District and Instructor at ASCUAD Arts 315 (Akilah’s School of Cultural Urban Arts and Dance). She is professionally trained in West African Dance, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Funk, Acrobatics, Street Dance, and more. She received her Master’s Certification in Popping and Locking funk dance styles at the IUDMA (International Urban Dance Masters Association).

Mia Funderburg

Mia Funderburg, STEM Facilitator: Mia Funderburg is a dedicated K–12 science and technology educator with over 15 years of experience in the field. A proud native of Detroit, Michigan, Mia is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Motivational Communication and Spanish, followed by a master’s degree in K–12 Instructional Learning. Currently, Mia serves as a 5th-grade teacher at Citizenship Academy and co-advisor for the NSBE Jr. (National Society of Black Engineers) chapter, supporting youth in the Syracuse area. Passionate about empowering students through STEM education and mentorship, she actively fosters future leaders and innovators. Mia is also a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., through which she continues her commitment to community service and outreach in the area where she lives and works.

Asa Rogers

Asa Rogers, STEM Facilitator: Asa Rogers is a multimedia performance artist. utilizing art to create a healing experience by focusing on themes such as personal, familial, and communal history, and the transformation of self. She is also an educator, historian, and archivist.

Save the date for the end-of-camp community showcase on Friday, August 15th, at 6:00 PM.

“From Cuba To ‘Cuse” 15th Anniversary – Dinner & Show

Community Folk Art Center presents Jose Miguel Hernandez Hurtado’s one-man play “From Cuba to ‘Cuse”  in celebration of Latine Heritage Month.  From Cuba to ‘Cuse shares the dynamic story of  Jose Miguel’s  journey from his homeland Cuba to Syracuse, New York. Join us for a fun-filled night of delicious Cuban cuisine, exclusive drinks, and a special farewell performance of Cuba to Cuse for its 15th-year celebration! Proceeds for this celebration will benefit La Joven Guardia del Teatro Latino, Inc., and the Community Folk Art Center.

Friday, September 19th | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Dinner at 6:00 PM, Show at 8:00 PM
Tickets- SOLD OUT
From Cuba to Cuse flyer

 

Staged Reading Of Spell – A Play With Music

The Community Folk Art Center in association with Joseph L. Edwards Proudly Presents: A staged reading of Spell – A play With Music that shares an enchanting story of love, truth, and transformation. On view at The Community Folk Art Center Blackbox Theatre (October 24th – 25th, 2025)

We are currently seeking strong actors/singers for the upcoming staged reading of Spell, Community members are invited to complete the Casting Notice Form and actors will be compensated with a $200 stipend. 

Spell follows the spellbound love of a princess and a warrior, ancient souls reincarnated in the modern world as lawyers- only now, they stand on opposing sides of a heated social justice battle. On view in the Community Folk Art Center Blackbox Theatre from October 24th – 25th showings  are available during the following dates and times Friday October 24th at 7:30 PM, Saturday October 25th at 2:00 PM, and Saturday October 25th at 7:30 PM.

Tickets are available now! Don’t miss out on this mesmerizing story of history, music, and culture. Now- September 1st receive a discounted Early Bird ticket of $15.00. Regular General Admission is $20.00 for adults and $15.00 for all students and seniors.

GET  TICKETS

African Drumming Summer Workshop

Join us for an exciting afternoon of rhythm, culture, and community! Experience the vibrant beats of the African diaspora in this free drumming & movement workshop led by instructor Joshua Williams. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced drummer, all are welcome to participate and explore the powerful tradition of African drumming.

Friday, July 18th 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | 201 E Washington St, Syracuse, NY 13202

image of Joshua Williams playing the drums

Creative Arts Academy Showcase

The Community Folk Art Center Presents the 2025 Creative Arts Academy Showcase. Enjoy an evening of performances, fun, and creativity as we celebrate our talented students’ achievements!

Wednesday, June 25th at 6:00 PM | Doors Open at 5:30 PM 

CAA 2025 Program

CAA showcase

53rd Annual Teenage Competitive Art Exhibition

The Community Folk Art Center and The Syracuse (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated present : The 53rd Annual Teenage Competitive Art Exhibition. Fifty-three (53) years ago, three high school art teachers, Charles Wollowitz, Roberta Braen, and Nancy Peck of Nottingham and Corcoran High Schools with Herb Williams, Director of CFAC, engaged in a strategic planning process that led to the development of an art show and competition in response to a need to provide competition and exhibition opportunities for African American, Asian, Latino and Native American students attending high schools in the Syracuse area. Subsequently, the Syracuse (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, in conjunction with the Syracuse City School District, joined CFAC and art teachers from the local community to continue these efforts.This year’s exhibition will feature over 100 works including 3D sculptures, photography, Digital Art, Mixed Media, painting, and drawing. With student artists from across the Syracuse City School District and the Lafayette School District.

A special congratulations goes to this years winners and honorable mentions
BEST IN SHOW : Merlin Ganguenon of Nottingham HS
DIRECTORS CHOICE : Zeniya Jordon of Corcoran HS
MOST ECLECTIC : Rick James IBMFA of Corcoran HS
SCULPTURE
Isabella Kaftan – Nottingham HS
Na’rya Lyles – Corcoran HS
Harmony Corrice – Corcoran HS
Arianna Williams – Corcoran HS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Maddox Lazore – Lafayette JSHS
Arly Rosales- Encastin of Henninger HS
Nemani Graham – Henninger HS
Victoria Clark – Henninger HS
DRAWING
Avis Lewis – Lafayette JSHS
Selaci Butoto – Nottingham HS
Nalima Moore – Corcoran HS
Genesis Nunez – Henninger HS
PAINTING
Konstantin Mikushkin – Henninger HS
Odai Alzobani – Nottingham HS
Sia Welling – Nottingham HS
Bal Boy – Corcoran HS
MIXED MEDIA
Nate King – Corcoran HS
Zeniya Jordan – Corcoran HS
Sofie Scanlon – Nottingham HS
DIGITAL ART
Saheda Bee – Henninger HS
Marielyn Carrasquillo – Nottingham HS
Amy Pham – Henninger HS