Beauty and the Beat
A Workshop Presentation of a New Monodrama by Austin Dean Ashford
Directed by Ashley Smiley
September 13 & September 14, 7pm
in Z Below
Free with Reservations
Austin Dean Ashford returns for his next performance as a Z Space 2024 Artist-in-Residence.
Dive into the vibrant world of Beauty and the Beat, an electrifying Afro-adaptation of the classic French tale. This dramedy tour de force follows the journey of a struggling PhD student, torn between completing his dissertation and making ends meet through his art. When his ambitious mother seeks to elevate his business, the industry's interest in his intellectual property complicates matters. Amidst this turmoil, inanimate objects spring to life—a boombox, microphone, spray can, clock, flashlight, and sneakers—urging him to unlock the true essence of hip hop to break the spell they’re under.
This fantastical narrative explores the timeless themes of beauty, academia versus artistry, and the profound bond between mother and son. Beauty and the Beat is a poignant reminder of the apology every mother deserves from her son, as it delves into the profound question: who determines what is beautiful and what is not?
This free workshop is funded in part by The Kenneth Rainin Foundation and The Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation.
About Austin Dean Ashford
Austin Dean Ashford is a storyteller, solo artist, and educator originally from the Bay Area and is a 2024 Z Space Artist-in-Residence. His work combines theater, original songs, ukulele playing, spoken word, and rap in a dynamic style that is at once profound, humorous and captivating. His work has won awards from the Kennedy Center, The San Diego International Fringe Festival, the New Zealand International Fringe Festival and more. Learn more on his website.
Ashford's exploration of genre-bending solo performance and his talent with words and rhythm are a perfect fit for Z Space's experimental and expansive development of new works. Ashford follows in the footsteps of other fabulous Artists-in-Residence including The Bengsons, Peter Nachtrieb, and most recently Thrillride Mechanics.
