Art
Opening Night of the Inaugural Theater Festival
Coconut Grove Theatre Festival Opens with a Powerful First Night: Liberty City Vignettes Sets the Stage for a New Era of Theater in the Grove
Coconut Grove enthusiasts and artists came together to bring theater back to the Grove, launching with electrifying energy as the Coconut Grove Theatre Festival opened its inaugural season with the deeply moving production of Liberty City Vignettes — written by Lolita Stewart-White and directed by Hattie Mae Williams. Rehearsals for the production were graciously hosted by Elizabeth Boone, Artistic and Executive Director of Miami Light Project, whose support helped bring this important story to life.
The opening night performance drew a packed and emotionally charged audience, setting the tone for a festival rooted in culture, community, and truth. Told through a series of poetic vignettes, the play follows 14-year-old Liberty City Red and her neighborhood as they confront the threat of being removed from the Pork N Beans Public Housing Projects — a visceral exploration of redlining, displacement, and redevelopment in Miami’s historic Liberty Square.
The performance, rich in rhythm and poetic storytelling, resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom were visibly moved by the raw emotion and cultural authenticity on stage. The cast received a standing ovation, and the night was punctuated with post-show conversations about community resilience and the power of place and unity.
“This play is a rallying cry,” said festival organizers. “It reminds us that storytelling is a vital act of resistance, and Coconut Grove is once again a home for voices that matter.”
Liberty City Vignettes marks a triumphant beginning for the festival, honoring Miami’s Black history and spotlighting local talent through a production that is as timely as it is timeless.
The festival continues throughout the weekend with more performances and events. For full schedule and tickets, visit https://www.cgtfest.com/.
Festival Director William Hector welcoming guests
Jessica de Vreeze and Geraldine Guardia
Sherill Martin handing out the program
Ariel Cipolla discussing the plays with volunteers at the Women’s Club of Coconut Grove
From left to right: David Hepburn, Arsimmer McCoy, Evelaure Denis, Nikki Floyd, Deana Butler-Rahming, Randy Coleman, Brette-Raia Curah, Hattie Mae Willams, Irvans Augustin, Lolita Stewart-White
From left to right: Hattie Mae Williams, Elizabeth Boone, Lolita Stewart-White
