Breaks, Rhyme & Reason: A BIPOC Theatre Workshop on Rhythm, Coolness & Diasporic Storytelling
Cool isn’t just a vibe — it’s a legacy.
In Breaks, Rhyme & Reason: Coolness in Theatre of the African Diaspora, acclaimed playwright and performer NSangou Njikam invites BIPOC artists into a dynamic and soul-rooted space to explore storytelling through the lens of African performance traditions, rhythm, balance, and "Coolness".
Hosted by Urban Haiku, this four-session online course is more than a writing workshop — it’s a celebration of Diasporic expression, a creative lab, and a sacred return to the storytelling techniques our ancestors passed down through beats, body, and breath.
🎭 Course Overview
Led by NSangou Njikam — known for Syncing Ink, When We Left, and A Freeky Introduction — this course centers on the aesthetic of Coolness as it is understood in West and Central African performance: a state of harmony, groundedness, and power under pressure.
Through a blend of:
✍🏾 Character-building exercises
🎲 Collaborative theatre games
🎙️ Rhythm and rhyme writing prompts
🌀 Scene creation rooted in your personal narrative
You'll discover new ways to tell stories that live in your bones, guided by tradition, creativity, and the sacred cool of Diasporic rhythm.
📅 Course Format & Access
Breaks, Rhyme & Reason is a four-week virtual workshop held via Zoom, with one 2-hour session each week. The next cohort’s start date will be announced soon — sign up to be the first to know. This space is intentionally designed for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), centering lived experience as a source of creative power. It’s a space of affirmation, safety, and cultural depth, where ancestral storytelling and rhythm take center stage.
🎟️ Sliding Scale Tuition
We offer a sliding scale to ensure the workshop remains accessible:
$500 – For those who are financially secure, employed, and have access to healthcare and discretionary income. This tier helps subsidize participants with fewer resources.
$400 – For those who are employed but managing debt or with limited financial flexibility.
$300 – For those who are under/unemployed, have minimal disposable income, or limited access to resources.
If the full price is out of reach, don’t worry — we also offer payment plans, work-exchange opportunities, and community-supported seats. Just reach out. We’re here to make room for you.
🧠 What You’ll Leave With
A deeper understanding of African aesthetics in theater
Original characters and new scenes developed through cultural grounding
An empowered connection to your own story and rhythm
A “cool” approach to the art of creation — one that’s joyful, light, and impactful
A BIPOC community of fellow storytellers walking the same liberating path
👑 About NSangou Njikam
Born in Baltimore and rooted in the African Diaspora, NSangou Njikam is a playwright, actor, and teaching artist whose work blends the ancient with the contemporary. His credits include:
Syncing Ink (The Flea Theater / Alley Theatre)
Deep Azure (Congo Square Theatre)
Hands Up: 7 Plays, 7 Testimonials
When We Left and Re:Definition
A proud Howard University BFA graduate, Njikam is a member of the Public Theater's 2015 Emerging Writers Group and has had work produced by National Black Theatre, La MaMa, and the BBC.
His pedagogy is rooted in honoring cultural roots, embracing rhythm and spoken word, and returning Black artists to their center through creative practice.
🌟 Join the Movement
This course is a call — for those ready to tap into their cultural rhythm, to reconnect with ancestral forms, and to create theatre that feels alive, urgent, and unapologetically you.
🎟️ Reserve your spot today at Urban Haiku
Space is limited. Energy is high. Let’s build from the beat.
FAQs
1. Do I need theatre experience to join?
Not at all. This course is for writers, performers, educators, and creatives of all levels — if you’ve got a story, you’ve got a place.
2. Will sessions be recorded?
Live participation is encouraged, but recordings will be available for those who can’t attend every session.
3. Why is this course only open to BIPOC participants?
To create a brave, culturally affirming space for storytelling rooted in Black and Indigenous experience — free from the pressure to explain or translate.
4. Can I apply for financial assistance?
Yes. If pricing is a barrier, we encourage you to reach out. We believe healing arts education should be accessible to all.
5. What materials will I need?
Just a notebook, an internet connection, and a heart ready to create. All additional resources will be provided.
