Artists@PLAY: From page to stage, BE a part of the progress
Workshop Exploring David and Jonathan
A Modern Gospel Story by Kathya Alexander | Conceived & Created by Tyrone Brown (aka NxtThrsdy)
Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: The Inspiration Lab
Artists@PLAY
Artists@PLAY is a new FREE workshop series inviting community members of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels to step inside the process of developing new works by and with Black playwrights. Each session is both a creative laboratory and a learning space—participants explore scenes, practice, play and gain insight into play development while helping shape stories in progress.
All are welcome—come as you are.
Workshop Overview
Join us for an interactive workshop exploring David and Jonathan, a powerful new work-in-progress written by Kathya Alexander and co-developed by Tyrone Brown (NxtThrsdy).
This creative session invites participants of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels into a shared space of artistic discovery, spiritual inquiry, and cultural dialogue.
Through scene work, improvisation, and guided conversation, we’ll unpack the story’s central themes—faith, identity, tradition, innovation—and engage with the project’s bold use of Gospel House music as both spiritual language and narrative force.
Workshop Schedule
11:00 AM – Welcome and Opening Circle
Introductions: Names, pronouns, and creative background (optional)
Group warm-up: Voice, movement, and collective energy-building
Setting shared intentions and agreements for the space
11:20 AM – Project Background and Creative Vision
Introduction to David and Jonathan
Contextual framing from Kathya Alexander and Tyrone Brown
The world of Kingdom Sound Records: A legacy gospel label at a cultural crossroads
Core themes:
Generational shifts in gospel music
The intersection of queerness, faith, and sound
Love and liberation inside and outside the church
11:40 AM – Scene Exploration and Improvisation
Group read-through of selected scenes
Improvisation and scene-building exercises (voluntary participation)
Sound exploration: Engaging with Gospel House music subgenres as character and setting
12:30 PM – Group Reflection and Feedback
What resonated? What provoked questions?
Guided discussion prompts:
How does the music support or challenge the story?
What moments felt most spiritually alive or emotionally charged?
How do we see ourselves or our communities reflected here?
Community feedback and creative input
12:55 PM – Closing Circle
Final reflections and acknowledgments
Invitation to stay connected for future workshops and show development
About the Project
David and Jonathan is a contemporary retelling of the Biblical story, set within Kingdom Sound Records—a legendary Black-owned gospel label facing an uncertain future. As Rev. Saul Benjamin seeks to preserve its sacred traditions, his son Jonathan champions a new gospel sound rooted in Black queer club culture. At the center is David Judah, a streetwise vocalist whose revolutionary voice disrupts both musical norms and spiritual expectations.
This is a story about transformation—of music, of community, of self.
All are welcome. Come as you are. Participation is free and open to the public.
Also check out other Workshops in Renton, Music events in Renton, Arts events in Renton.
