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WOMAN OF MANY TALENTS—For three years, the August Wilson Center for African American Cultural has hosted an annual event entitled, “First Voice.” Presenters are artists that have received the highly regarded Fellows Award through the center. This year’s class of recipients are being held in esteem with notable predecessors, Jasiri X, Vanessa German, Greer Reed Jones and Anire Mosely, to name a few. One such Fellows awardee is Maryam Abdul-Qawiyy. Her year-long participation in the program culminated in the stage performance of her play, “A Servant in the House of Many Gods,” in which she wrote, starred and directed. The drama portrays the story of a young girl being forced to marry an older man in order to take care of her family. Tackling topics of poverty, lack of education, and forced marriages, the play brings attention to social issues that affect young girls in poor communities across third world countries. Also performing in the show were: The Pittsburgh Gospel Choir, dancers Annalee Taylor and Nadia Cantu, the Desiree Davis Dance Collective, other performers were Tonita Davidson, Vendell Nasir, Crystal Noel and Cheryl El-Walker. Pictured: Maria with mother played by Cheryl L. Walker, measuring wedding dresss. (Photo by Erin Perry)
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