Black Theatre United will celebrate Black History Month with a one-night-only talkback at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts February 9.

Entitled Syncopated Stages: Black Disruptions to the Great White Way, the 6 PM discussion will focus on the current exhibit of the same name. BTU Founder and Vice President Michael McElroy will lead the talkback, discussing the significance of the exhibit, the curatorial process, and the historical impact of the works on display.

In the early 20th century, Black composers and writers created many popular musicals in New York that helped define the genre: New forms of syncopation, the disruption of the dominant rhythm, and narratives composed and written by Black artists challenged the prevailing sounds and depictions of Black people on stage. Syncopated Stages spotlights their work, acknowledges the challenges they faced, and celebrates the brilliance of what they made.

The talkback is free, though advance registration is required by clicking here.

McElroy has appeared on Broadway in Sunday in the Park With George, Next to Normal, Rent, Big River, The Who’s Tommy, and Miss Saigon. He is founder and artistic director of Broadway Inspirational Voices, the  Tony-honored, Grammy-nominated gospel choir, and currently serves as Associate Dean of the Institute of Performing Arts and tenure professor in Arts & Public Policy at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Syncopated Stages: Black Disruptions to the Great White Way is currently on view at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts through February 21. Learn more about the exhibit by clicking here.