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Boston Globe
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Boston Arts Academy steps in to help craft the next Ufot Cycle play: ‘Kufre n' Quay'
Before a recent rehearsal, Mngomezulu says that coming to America has been a 'culture shock' for his character. Seated next to him, castmate Kamanampata explains that 'confusion and hurt and conflict can come when someone expects something of a culture that they've only seen caricatures and stereotypes of.' Kufre comes from a country, Udofia points out, where everyone is largely of the same race. 'We're seeing the story through the eyes of a child who does not know he is Black until he gets to this country,' she says. 'He's meeting America for the first time at this age without any vocabulary for Blackness. … So what does that mean to suddenly hold that word?' Advertisement The show marks the first professional theater production ever for (who lives in Newton).'The youth, they're like lights,' Udofia says. 'They bring me so much joy.' The Huntington aimed for this to be a citywide festival celebrating Udofia, who grew up in Southbridge near Worcester, with multiple theaters and cultural organizations taking part. So when Charles Haugland, the Huntington's director of new work, called Boston Arts Academy artistic director Maura Tighe more than a year ago and suggested that there could be roles for students in one of the plays, Tighe leapt at the chance to boost their involvement. 'I said, 'Why not let us do it?'' Tighe recalls, standing in the BAA theater's mezzanine. The Huntington loved the idea, and BAA partnered with the Wheelock Family Theatre to produce this installment. 'Our mission is to connect the students to the community and help them see the way to what's next for them in their artistic domain, to see themselves as professionals,' Tighe says. 'I've been looking for the right theater connection, and this just blossomed.' Advertisement The first play in the Ufot Cycle, Udofia, a Wellesley College graduate, was inspired to set the play at a youth center, because she worked for years as an educator and teaching artist. 'It's really in my bones,' she says. 'And I thought there's no better way to have Kufre feel out America than to land him in one of these summer programs that I am so familiar with in New York City.' She was able to draw from her own experiences and insights from spending time around young people. 'There's just a way they talk when they think you're not listening that I find fascinating. It is colorful, it is fast and sharp. It can be so sweet, one second. Cruel, the next. Language making is happening all the time.' Advertisement Director John Oluwole ADEkoje watches cast members rehearse a scene of "Kufre n' Quay." Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff At the youth center, there are two main cliques — one a group of kids who live in the Little Senegal enclave (most of whom speak French); and then a clique of Black American kids largely from Harlem and the Bronx. 'There's conflict because these people are all defining their identities very differently,' says director John Oluwole ADEkoje, who's Nigerian-American. 'And it's being read like each group feels like they're better than the other.' At first, Kufre is rejected by both cliques. So he goes off on his own and daydreams, and it's quickly apparent that he has formidable powers of imagination. 'He closes his eyes, stretches his arms, and imagines a place he wants to go and what he wants to happen, and then he just goes there,' Mngomezulu says. Levi Mngomezulu rehearses a scene of "Kufre n' Quay" at Boston Arts Academy. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff Iniabasi (Ramona Lisa Alexander) arrives with her own set of prejudices, and when she finds out the other kids are bullying Kufre, she explodes. The dedicated Harlem Zone educator Ms. Jada, a.k.a. 'Ms. Ey Yo Miss' (Jalyse Ware), tries to help Kufre integrate into this new world while keeping the peace between the different cliques and teaching improv theater games. But it's Abasiama (Jackie Davis) who's best equipped to help her grandson navigate the tensions and strife. Having raised three children in Massachusetts, Abasiama has 'learned a little bit about the cultural biases that maybe she had initially,' Davis says. 'She understands both sides of the fence culturally, so she sees the mistakes that Kufre is making fresh from the continent. She's trying to be the person to ease him into this new society and not create harm as he's being harmed, but also getting him to understand how his interaction could have led to this misunderstanding.' Advertisement A BAA faculty member, playwright, and filmmaker, ADEkoje says that rehearsing with young people is 'a dance between being a professional director and being a teacher. You're guiding them through the process.' He did 'table work' — reading and discussing the play and breaking it down as a group — for longer than usual, before starting to block out scenes. 'I didn't want anybody getting up on their feet without understanding exactly who their characters are and what they want,' he says. Ultimately, Tighe says, 'This is a story about a boy who dreams, and he dreams so vividly, that things come to life on stage, and he's going to take all the other kids with him. He believes in this world where everybody's the same, and that's how they come to understand each other — through his dreams.' As they work to bring to life this unprecedented endeavor, Udofia is savoring every moment. 'This is a rehearsal process where I walk in happy, I walk out happy,' she says. 'These kids are bringing everything that they can and soaking it all up like a sponge. Watching them is my favorite thing.' KUFRE N' QUAY By Mfoniso Udofia, presented by the Boston Arts Academy and Wheelock Family Theatre. At Boston Arts Academy Main Stage Theatre, July 10-26. Tickets from $22. 617-635-6470;
Fashion Network
19-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tailored Brands names new CEO
Tailored Brands on Wednesday announced the promotion of John Tighe to the role of chief executive officer, as well as joining the U.S. apparel firm's the board of directors, effective August 5. Tighe succeeds Peter Sachse, who will transition from his current role as CEO to executive chairman of the company's board. The new CEO first joined Tailored Brands in May 2021 as executive vice president and chief customer officer, before becoming president of the Houston-based company in March 2022. 'The hallmark of a strong and resilient organization is a well-developed succession plan, and John's promotion highlights the thoughtful, holistic talent strategy Tailored Brands has established," said Sachse, who was first appointed to the board in March 2021, and went on to lead the company's transformation as co-CEO alongside Bob Hull. In February 2024, he was named sole CEO. "Over the past four years, John has been instrumental in our company's ability to anticipate market shifts and evolve with our customers as he architected nuanced merchandising, planning, marketing, and value-driven pricing strategies. There is no doubt he is the right successor at the right time, and I'm excited to see Tailored Brands continue to thrive under his leadership.' Based in Texas, Tailored Brands is a specialty retailer of menswear, including suits, formalwear and a broad selection of business casual offerings. Its portfolio includes Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Moores and K&G Fashion Superstore. 'I'm honored to lead this talented organization to deliver on our company's purpose and value proposition. I look forward to Peter's continued mentorship as he takes on his new role and want to thank the board, Peter and the entire leadership team for their support and confidence," said Tighe. "I'm grateful to work alongside such a talented and passionate leadership team as well as the more than 14,000 team members who wake up every day to put our customers at the center of every decision. We wouldn't be where we are today without their tireless dedication, and I look forward to unlocking the potential of all our banners as a team."
Fashion Network
19-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tailored Brands names new CEO
Tailored Brands on Wednesday announced the promotion of John Tighe to the role of chief executive officer, as well as joining the U.S. apparel firm's board of directors, effective August 5. Tighe succeeds Peter Sachse, who will transition from his current role as CEO to executive chairman of the company's board. The new CEO first joined Tailored Brands in May 2021 as executive vice president and chief customer officer, before becoming president of the Houston-based company in March 2022. 'The hallmark of a strong and resilient organization is a well-developed succession plan, and John's promotion highlights the thoughtful, holistic talent strategy Tailored Brands has established," said Sachse, who was first appointed to the board in March 2021, and went on to lead the company's transformation as co-CEO alongside Bob Hull. In February 2024, he was named sole CEO. "Over the past four years, John has been instrumental in our company's ability to anticipate market shifts and evolve with our customers as he architected nuanced merchandising, planning, marketing, and value-driven pricing strategies. There is no doubt he is the right successor at the right time, and I'm excited to see Tailored Brands continue to thrive under his leadership.' Based in Texas, Tailored Brands is a specialty retailer of menswear, including suits, formalwear and a broad selection of business casual offerings. Its portfolio includes Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Moores and K&G Fashion Superstore. 'I'm honored to lead this talented organization to deliver on our company's purpose and value proposition. I look forward to Peter's continued mentorship as he takes on his new role and want to thank the board, Peter and the entire leadership team for their support and confidence," said Tighe. "I'm grateful to work alongside such a talented and passionate leadership team as well as the more than 14,000 team members who wake up every day to put our customers at the center of every decision. We wouldn't be where we are today without their tireless dedication, and I look forward to unlocking the potential of all our banners as a team."
Fashion Network
19-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tailored Brands names new CEO
Tailored Brands on Wednesday announced the promotion of John Tighe to the role of chief executive officer, as well as joining the U.S. apparel firm's board of directors, effective August 5. Tighe succeeds Peter Sachse, who will transition from his current role as CEO to executive chairman of the company's board. The new CEO first joined Tailored Brands in May 2021 as executive vice president and chief customer officer, before becoming president of the Houston-based company in March 2022. 'The hallmark of a strong and resilient organization is a well-developed succession plan, and John's promotion highlights the thoughtful, holistic talent strategy Tailored Brands has established," said Sachse, who was first appointed to the board in March 2021, and went on to lead the company's transformation as co-CEO alongside Bob Hull. In February 2024, he was named sole CEO. "Over the past four years, John has been instrumental in our company's ability to anticipate market shifts and evolve with our customers as he architected nuanced merchandising, planning, marketing, and value-driven pricing strategies. There is no doubt he is the right successor at the right time, and I'm excited to see Tailored Brands continue to thrive under his leadership.' Based in Texas, Tailored Brands is a specialty retailer of menswear, including suits, formalwear and a broad selection of business casual offerings. Its portfolio includes Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Moores and K&G Fashion Superstore. 'I'm honored to lead this talented organization to deliver on our company's purpose and value proposition. I look forward to Peter's continued mentorship as he takes on his new role and want to thank the board, Peter and the entire leadership team for their support and confidence," said Tighe. "I'm grateful to work alongside such a talented and passionate leadership team as well as the more than 14,000 team members who wake up every day to put our customers at the center of every decision. We wouldn't be where we are today without their tireless dedication, and I look forward to unlocking the potential of all our banners as a team."
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
15-Year-Old Girl Dead, 3 Hospitalized After Building Partially Collapses During Graduation Party: 'Unthinkable Tragedy'
A graduation party at the Portuguese American Citizens Club in Rhode Island ended in tragedy after the building partially collapsed on Saturday, June 7 A 15-year-old girl died, and three other people were hospitalized with significant injuries, according to reports from multiple outlets including NBC 10 Boston and 7 News Boston 'Words, neither written nor spoken, can express the sorrow with which we are all stricken,' the club said in a statement following the incidentA 15-year-old girl has died and three others are injured after a building partially collapsed while a graduation party was taking place in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. At around 5:34 p.m. local time on Saturday, June 7, police and firefighters received multiple reports of people trapped under a concrete stairwell that had detached from the Portuguese American Citizens Club on Power Street, according to NBC 10 Boston and 7 News Boston. "There were 75 people inside the building at the time, and it appears several were on the landing when it collapsed," CBS News reported, citing Portsmouth assistant fire chief Howie Tighe. A 15-year-old girl died, while two 17-year-old girls and a 49-year-old woman were rushed to Rhode Island Hospital with significant injuries, per the outlet. 'So the immediate rescue of two of the injured parties was pretty quick," Tighe told CBS News. 'They weren't necessarily trapped in a real complicated manner. 'Then there were the two that were significantly trapped, and obviously one of them took upwards of 45 to 50 minutes because of the amount of cribbing we had to do, trying to lift the concrete wall up because she was trapped underneath it,' he said. Around the time of the incident, Gov. Dan McKee said in a post on X that his team is 'closely monitoring the situation. 'Our hearts are with the Portuguese community and all those impacted. I'm deeply grateful to the first responders and praying for everyone's safety,' he added. Police have not formally identified the 15-year-old girl, per NBC 10 Boston. The building's stairwell has been removed from the grounds amid an investigation being led by the Portsmouth building inspector, according to the outlet. "We routinely practice building collapse scenarios and other scenarios, but when it occurs, it can be a stress point for them all,' Portsmouth Chief of Police Brian Peters told NBC10 Boston affiliate WJAR. 'It's standard practice for us in our department when we have a fatal incident or a critical incident that the town has been really good at having counseling available to us, and the men and women take advantage of that.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. A memorial for the 15-year-old girl, a Portsmouth public school student, was held on Sunday. Pastor David Chatowsky said he did not know the victim personally, but told WJAR that he "prayed for the parents and I prayed for the people that are hurt." "We have to help them out, we can do that through prayer, visiting them, and visiting them at the hospital and showing compassion," Chatowsky added. The Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club shared their sympathy in a post on Facebook. 'It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we acknowledge this unthinkable tragedy that has befallen our community,' the club's statement read. 'The Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club has always taken pride in providing a venue at which our community can congregate and celebrate. 'Words, neither written or spoken, can express the sorrow with which we are all stricken,' the statement continued. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved and affected. This tragedy has shaken us all to our core. They concluded, 'We would like to express a debt of gratitude to our first responders and law enforcement in the town of Portsmouth and neighboring communities.' Portsmouth police and Portsmouth's fire department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Monday, June 9. Read the original article on People
