Reimagining the Civic Commons: Get to know the Millennial Theatre Project

The work of Akron Civic Commons is centered around investments in three neighborhoods and the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail that connects them.

This work—led by local residents—helps to knit together our isolated communities through collaboration and the reimagination of our public spaces. Together the neighbors aim to create temporary and permanent design features and regular programming to reestablish the 100-acre Summit Lake as a place of civic pride and play—bridging diverse neighborhoods and fostering economic development and public life in Akron’s downtown.

One of the hardworking organizations part of that mission is the Millennial Theatre Project, founded by Francine Parr.

The project started five years ago when Francine was a musical theatre major. “At my college, I was told you’re not Black enough for that role and often ignored in my major. After these overwhelming feelings, I went to my dad [Akron’s own Howard Parr of Akron Civic Theatre] and said, ‘I want to start a theatre company, and I want it to be about inclusivity. And I want to tell anyone who auditions, ‘Yes you can, and we’re going to put on kick-a** shows.’”

That’s exactly what Francine did. The Millennial Theatre Project is for all. It bridges the gap between youth and adult community theater.

Cast of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”

“If you have a disability or haven’t touched the stage in 20-30 years, Black, Brown, whoever you are—and love theatre? We’re for you,” said Francine.

“I had the idea for my very first play when I was first watching the George Floyd murder,” shared Francine. “I saw on social media, a video of a family friend, he’s a 400-pound football-playing Black man, and he was at one of the downtown protests in Akron, standing in front of a court building. He was calling out to the police officers, begging them to have a conversation with him. These gentlemen he was yelling to were ones that he’d grown up with that called him brother—and no one budged. I cried that night. As a Black, biracial person, I felt so helpless, unsafe, and knew I had to do something.”

She then shared, “…The next day, I talked to my dad who adopted me as a baby. He’s raised me to believe you can do whatever you want, and what I wanted was to help, and what I know is that I can create art.”

Francine began to write her first play, “Say it Loud,” which premiered virtually in June 2020. But not knowing the ins and outs of playwriting, she began to talk and interview Akron people and hear and learn from their experiences about their racism. After a few weeks, she brought on Maya Nicholson, and together, they bounced ideas and perfected their research.

“There are thousands upon thousands of other Black people who’ve experienced racism, and their stories need to be told,” said Francine. “We put out a survey and asked how they felt about equality and redlining. We went to Facebook and have interviewed over 1,000 people. We’re still writing stories. We had the idea to take it into the neighborhoods… host these town halls, and we’re interviewing people in these town halls via Zoom or in-person—and writing a new piece.”

That idea is what brought The Millennial Theatre Project and “Say It Loud” to Akron Civic Commons. The team has helped connect the group to residents of Summit Lake.

“The entire Akron Civic Commons team was super supportive. They awarded us a grant, and they’ve been so helpful with finding locations and getting people to come out to the interviews or getting the Zoom link out. They’re so trusted in the neighborhood—the response has been overwhelming to what we’re doing—people love it and we love them,” said Francine.

Francine is truly creating a project based on the goodness that happens when people take care of each other, and we’re inspired to be part of it.

“We’re closing another show, and what my friends and colleagues have helped me to create is this. I can say with undoubting certainty, I’m enough. And so are you. You are more than enough. I hope we can give stepping stones for people to better themselves, and if you want to get involved, you’re welcome. Making you feel important is everything for me. Let’s create some great art.”

To learn more about the Millennial Theatre Project please visit www.facebook.com/millennialtheatreproject.