On Thursday, March 27, the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University will host a special one-night-only event featuring a staged reading of Deep Azure, a powerful hip-hop theatre piece written by the late Chadwick A. Boseman. The performance, set for 7:30 p.m., will raise funds to benefit the various departments within the College of Fine Arts, including Art, Music, Theatre Arts, the Gallery of Art, and the Office of Choirs and Bands.
Proceeds from the event will help enrich the educational experience for future artists and performers at the university, ensuring that Boseman’s legacy continues to inspire and impact new generations. VIP guests will have access to both pre-show and post-show receptions, offering a unique opportunity to celebrate Boseman’s work in an intimate setting.
A Look at Deep Azure and Its Significance
Inspired by the true events surrounding Howard University student Prince Jones, Deep Azure explores themes of justice, love, and the divine. The story centers on a campus in turmoil after the police killing of a beloved student, Deep. His girlfriend, Azure, embarks on a quest to solve the mystery of his death, which may hit closer to home than she ever imagined.
Utilizing the language and energy of Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Blues, Boseman’s writing merges the spiritual and physical realms, leading audiences on an emotional journey through universal truths. Deep Azure is one of four hip-hop theatre pieces that Boseman wrote or co-wrote, highlighting his creative versatility and deep connection to the arts.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
The staged reading will feature an exceptional cast, including Lauren E. Banks, Adesola Osakalumi, Joshua Boone, Greg Alvarez Reid, Isaiah J. Johnson (known for his work in Hamilton and Color Purple), Amber Iman (Lempicka, Soul Doctor), and Djali Amadou Kouyate (of 21 Strings Kora). The event will be directed by NSangou Njikam, a renowned artist, playwright, and cultural convener, with legendary actress Phylicia Rashad serving as the Creative Consultant.
Derrick Boseman, Kevin Boseman, and Simone Ledward Boseman are producing the event, with honorary chairs including Don Cheadle, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Common, Reginald Hudlin, and Susan Kelechi Watson.
A Long-Awaited Return
The 2025 staged reading will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original production, which first premiered in 2005 at the Congo Square Theatre Company in Chicago. The production was also part of the Hip Hop Theatre Festival, and it is still considered one of Boseman’s defining works before he became a global superstar.
Ryan Coogler, the Black Panther director and a close collaborator of Boseman, shared his excitement for the event, noting the immense impact that Deep Azure had on Boseman’s career. “In every stage of my filmmaking career, I have been blessed to collaborate with several impressive alumni from Howard University, but none impacted my life and art as much as the great Chadwick Boseman,” Coogler stated. “Chad’s initial creative passion was writing, and Deep Azure was his magnum opus during his time at the school of Fine Arts. I’m thrilled to help bring his work back to the stage in an effort to raise funds for the school that shaped him and so many other incredible artists.”
Honoring Boseman’s Legacy
The event is not only a celebration of Chadwick A. Boseman’s artistic legacy but also an important fundraising opportunity for the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. His contributions to both the arts and his alma mater will continue to inspire future generations of artists, and this staged reading is a poignant reminder of his immense impact on the entertainment world.
Fans and supporters of Boseman, as well as those interested in hip-hop theatre, theatre arts, and the power of storytelling, are invited to be part of this historic evening.
