Winter 2023 Atlanta Run of Fan-Favorite Production Black Nativity: A Gospel Christmas Musical Experience Announced by Dominion Entertainment Group

ATLANTA, GEORGIA, OCTOBER 26, 2023 – Dominion Entertainment Group is thrilled to announce that its annual holiday treasure, the gospel adaptation of acclaimed poet and playwright, Langston Hughes’ original Broadway song-play, Black Nativity: A Gospel Christmas Musical Experience will run for two weeks. A few of the returning star cast members include Latrice Pace (Stellar- and Grammy-nominated gospel group, The Anointed Pace Sisters, Suzi Bass Award, What’s Done in the Dark, Scissors, I Know I’ve Been Changed), Dathan Thigpen(Beyoncé’s Black Is King, Scary Movie 5, Sunday Best All Stars, The Haves and the Have Nots, Madea’s Neighbors from Hell), Joseph “JoJo” Clarke (America’s Got Talent, BET’s Joyful Noise, Inside Edition, The View, David Letterman Show, Good Morning America ), andLawrence Flowers (2023 Suzi Bass Nominee, Billboard chart topper). 

Tony Award-winning Joaquina Kalukango; multi-award-winning actress, Monique; Lelee of 3X-Grammy Nominated group, SWV; Award Winning actress Terri Vaughn, and more are just a few of the celebrities who have seen highly anticipated Dominion Entertainment Group productions. 

The soul-stirring show opens in a modern day African-American church on Christmas Day, filled with testifying deacons, sanctified ladies, and down-home preaching, and ultimately recreates the journey of Mary and Joseph, resplendent in African costumes, to Bethlehem, accompanied by a rousing repertoire of old-fashioned spirituals. The African-American viewpoint, thrilling voices, exciting dance, spectacular costumes, and glorious gospel music continue to make Black Nativity a truly unique and entertaining theatrical experience. The holiday production will run at the newly renovated Ferst Center of the Arts on the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta, Georgia. This joyous evening brings the real meaning of faith and love to life for the entire family.

           “I’ve seen #BlackNativity probably 10 times over the course of my life in various major cities. This production is by 

far the best I’ve seen. Outstanding performances and musical direction (Keith Wilson). There’s a West African dance 

scene in here that will knock your socks off. The choreography is stellar overall.” Nsenga Burton (The Burton Wire)

“Amazing, amazing from beginning to end.  The only production that I’ve seen where everything was on 10!” Lelee (SWV)

“It’s an honor to bring back our amazing cast members and bring this precious story to life again in 2023,” said Connor.

“We invite people to come and watch and listen to this powerful story told like never before.” 

Known for producing some of Atlanta’s most memorable theatrical productions, Dominion Entertainment focuses on the development and production of high-quality arts and entertainment around the world, placing a heavy emphasis on diversity in subject matter. In this vein, Dominion has produced shows such as Mahalia: A Gospel Musical, Jar the Floor, and A Lesson Before Dying.  CEO and artistic director Robert John Connor and his team have created award-winning productions that continue to be fan-favorites, including the newly announced run of Black Nativity: A Gospel Christmas Musical Experience. 

Tickets can be purchased at www.blacknativityatl.com  

2023 Show Dates: 

Thursday 12/7 at 8 p.m. 

Friday 12/8 at 8 p.m. 

Saturday 12/9 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. 

Sunday 12/10 at 3 p.m. 

Thursday 12/14 at 8 p.m. 

Friday 12/15 at 8 p.m. 

Saturday 12/16 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. 

Sunday 12/17 at 3 p.m. 

ABOUT DOMINION ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, LLC 

Dominion Entertainment Group, LLC (DEG) was founded to produce and develop high quality arts and entertainment worldwide. With excellence as its pinnacle principal, DEG intends to fill the void by producing theatrical, film and music works that span a diverse spectrum of subject matter, issues and cultures and provide enrichment for the community at large. Under the leadership of Robert John Connor, CEO & Artistic Director, DEG has produced award winning productions that are audience favorites. In addition, DEG intends to facilitate forums and opportunities for developing musicians, playwrights, directors, filmmakers and artisans. Through education and community outreach, DEG plans to bolster Arts in communities that are in need of opportunities for enrichment and professional development. 

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM: 

Robert John Connor (Director) award-winning actor/singer/producer and director, has worked in the arts and entertainment industry for over 30 years as an actor, singer, writer, director and producer. A graduate of Morehouse College, Robert studied music, radio, film and television. Robert went on to pursue acting and music and has appeared in a variety of stage productions including: 110 in the Shade, Once on This Island, Camelot, Crowns, The Club, Urinetown, Queen of the Blues, Higher Ground, Come out of the Rain, Tyler Perry’s I Know I’ve Been Changed and Jezebel. Some of his film and television credits include: Greenleaf, A Different World, The Cosby Show, the film Glory, and Showtime at the Apollo. As a musician Robert has recorded and arranged vocals for a variety of artists, jingles for national and international products and has sung with a variety of artists including: Michael Buble, Gladys Knight, Barry Manilow, Byron Cage and Cassi Davis. Robert went on to earn a Masters of Fine Arts in Performance and Dramatic Media from the University of Georgia, and has directed productions including: Jar The Floor, Dreamgirls, The Amen Corner, Romeo & Juliet, Execution of Justice, Black Nativity, Hairspray, Miss Saigon and the world premiere of the amateur production of The Color Purple. 

Keith Wilson (Musical Director) has spent nearly 20 years as a music director, instructor, pianist, and vocalist, creating wonderful music around the world. He has been continuously noted for his strong conviction to bringing a high quality of contemporary and standard music to his audiences. He received his formal training at Georgia State University in voice performance. His background in classical, theater, gospel, and spirituals has set him in the forefront of the music community. He was chosen to coordinate and conduct a 5000-voice choir for the Paralympics Games opening ceremonies. On behalf of the City of Atlanta/Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Keith conducted the Atlanta Super Choir, performing on several European tours representing the city. Keith is very proud of his work as music coordinator on the feature film The Gospel, working with such greats as Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, and Donnie McClurkin. He has served as Minister of Music and Worship Arts for several local churches in Atlanta, GA. He is currently the director of Music/ Worship Arts at Ben Hill United Methodist as well as director of the nationally recognized Majestic Choir of Ben Hill UMC. Keith has made a commitment to designing and implementing organized, creative, and intelligible programs that help build the knowledge and skills of Christians in the performing arts. He is the proprietor of Quality Music Concepts dedicated to the instruction of private & classroom voice and piano. Keith has worked in theater for such productions as, Black Nativity, The Amen Corner, One Mo’ Time, Zion, Theatre of the Star’s Purlie, starring Melba Moore, Robert Guillaume, Sherman Hemsley. He also toured Europe with the opera Porgy and Bess. Keith has recently founded The New Philharmonic Concert Chorale, an ensemble of 36 professional singers with a refreshing and distinct expressiveness that performs a wide variety of music genres. 

Dawn Axam (Choreographer) has been choreographing for over 30 years. Dawn received a BFA in Dance and theatre Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and a MA from Lesley University in Arts and Education. While an undergraduate student, she pursued extensive study in the areas Ballet, Horton, Graham, Jazz, African Improvisation, theatre and voice. Dawn was assistant director and choreographer with Jasmine Guy in the world premier of “I Dream.” She has been producing and choreographing AXAM Dance Theatre, choreographer for Sundays Best 2009, Kanye West in the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards, and the Tupac Shakur Foundation. The recent recipient of The Shuler Awards for directing Once On This Island, her credits include: Fusion National Tour, Women Hold Up Half the Sky, Chicago, Godspell, Dreamgirls, Little Shop of Horrors, Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin, Treemonisha” Shakin’ the Mess Out of Misery, Once On This Island, Langston Hughes Black Nativity, Ain’t Mis Behavin, Bricktop, Bessies Blues, Three Sistahs, and more.