Tahja, a beautiful and multi-dimensional aspiring black opera singer, leaves behind the comforts of family life in Florida, the opportunity to work the family business and her engagement to the perfect “southern gentleman” to pursue her dreams as a graduate student at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. Black Butterfly incorporates a mixture of pre-existing and brand new Broadway, jazz, hip-hop, opera, blues and soul music into Tahja’s journey, set in the bustling and exciting world of the New York City music scene. From the rigid walls of Juilliard filled with strict professors and young hungry talent, to the cutthroat competition of the Broadway stage and audition scene, with the raw eclectic energy of NYC heightened by surreal experiences, Tahja learns that her journey of self-discovery is tied to empowering herself and her passion for her music, and that her dreams “do not have deadlines.” Directed by Jerry Foley, the cast features N’Kenge (Caroline, or Change), Terence Archie (Rocky: The Musical), and Tamara Tunie (Law & Order: SVU) with Benjamin Eakeley (Orange is the New Black), Joy Hermalyn (Caroline, or Change), Tess Keisz, Kevin Kilner (Bonding), Tamika Lawrence (Caroline, or Change), Jahzara Martina, and John Preator (American Idol).
New York City, NY; NYC