Grab Your Tickets, Popcorn and Tissues For ‘Black and Proud: The Musical’

To be seen is one thing, but to be honored in representation is another. “Black and Proud: The Musical” is the remedy of relief that has come just in time. We had the pleasure to sit down with Jasmine Mincey, writer and director of “Black and Proud: The Musical”, and she shared some gems that will be forever imprinted throughout the LGBTQ+ community.

“I wanted to tell the story that highlights Black Queer characters,” Mincey shares. “Because a lot of times they are just side characters or a comedic relief, like the Gay best friend. I wanted to make a play that kind of puts them in the spotlight as stars. As Black and Queer stars.”

She expressed that ever since she was 12, she’s been writing poems, songs and stories. The motivation for this production was a seed that had been nurtured and has since bloomed. Theater is one of the classical art forms of expression, and historically a means to educate, inform and even pursue. These are formally known as categories of rhetorical appeals. Mincey’s intention behind “Black and Proud: The Musical” is to carefully and truthfully segment the vulnerabilities that the LGBTQ+ community shares, by casting characters that share the identities of the letters represented in L-G-B-T-Q.

There are different avenues that the musical approaches that are extremely necessary. For instance, the main setting is The Lavender Lounge, a community center led by the main character, Divinity. This space is portrayed as a safe space where many of the characters go to meet up and commune. Mincey shared that The Lavender Lounge is symbolic of chosen family when sometimes relatives aren’t always accepting or understanding. This highlights the importance of support and community.

“For everybody’s voice to be represented. I wanted trans characters, I wanted gay characters, I wanted lesbian characters, I wanted bisexual characters, even some nonbinary characters,” Mincey expresses. “This is so that everyone can see themselves in this play. That there was somebody that related to them and who they are.”

“Black and Proud: The Musical” aims to be an example of the diversity in identity within the LGBTQ+ community. This production is a love letter of affirmation to the queer community. It is a highlight of acknowledgment to the Black community. But most importantly, it is the warmth and encouragement to just be you for both communities.

“I want to close the gap by putting Black queer people in spaces of expression,” Mincey states.

These spaces of expression set the tone for future generations to come. For our shoulders to be the ones grounded and steady in order to be proudly stood upon.

Our history as queer people finds solace in pure expression, and this invokes the memory of our truths, and to be that very source of comfort and protection for our counterparts while being bold examples of bravery in a challenged world.

Lastly, Mincey closes saying, “It’s about truly healing, visibility and the power of telling our stories out loud and on our own terms.”

If you would like to be a part of the groundbreaking production, Mincey and her team are currently doing an open call for cast and crew in the Twin Cities.

Mincey’s Press Release:

Roles are available for actors of all genders and expressions especially BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals.

The team is also recruiting for: Cast members (all experience levels), Drag performers, Stage Manager, Choreographer, Production Assistant.

Rehearsals will begin late 2025 with a premiere date set for May 2026 in Minneapolis. At this stage, Black and Proud is operating on a profit-share model, with all future funds raised distributed evenly among the cast and crew.

The project is being developed with support from OutFront Minnesota and RECLAIM, and aims to uplift community, creativity, and visibility.

Mincey also shared that there is a goal to raise funds for the production in order to settle theater costs. If you are interested in donating, please see the information below to get in contact with her directly.

Black and Proud: The Musical is a production you do not want to miss.

See ya there?