Black Fire

Black Fire was an African American theater company which operated from Birmingham in the 1970s with support from Sargent Shriver's Office of Economic Opportunity through the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (JCCEO). The company was headed by Vera Marcus with Ed Bishop as artistic director.

The troupe was known for its touring performances of "Nigger Heaven", which combined gospel music and dance to illustrate a paradise for black people. The group performed "Nappy Head", a drama inspired by Marcus' travels in Brazil, for the 1975 Festival of Arts "Salute to Brazil". Marcus was awarded the Festival's Silver Bowl for her contribution's to the city's dance community.

In 1978 the group performed Bishop's own play, "The Sharer" at UAB's Bell Auditorium. In 1980 they staged a production of Ntozake Shange's "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf" at Cudworth Auditorium. They followed that with Ed Bullins' "A Son Come Home" in 1981.

References

• Hedemon, John (October 13, 1975) "Class Notes: '72". Princeton Alumni Weekly