The former Mockingbird on Main theater is beginning a new chapter in its life. This chapter will combine education and artistry as the theater that was once in downtown Davenport building that collapsed has entered into a partnership with Black Hawk College in Moline.
The new partnership is getting off to a fast start as the college and Mockingbird work together on the production of “Death of a Salesman,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-winning play by Arthur Miller. Performances will be in the Black Hawk College Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20-22 and Aug. 27-29.
The production will be directed by Black Hawk College alum Tristan Tapscott, co-founder of The Mockingbird, with Black Hawk College alum and professor Traci Davis serving as executive producer.
In the spirit of accessibility and inclusion, the production will utilize a pay-what-you-can ticket model, ensuring that theatre remains affordable for everyone, especially students at Black Hawk College.
Auditions for “Death of a Salesman” will start at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25, in the Black Hawk College Theatre, 6600 34th Ave., Moline, Building 1, Room 308.
No preparation is required. Participants are encouraged to simply arrive ready to read from the script. Those unable to attend in person may request alternate arrangements by emailing [email protected].
All roles are open and members of the community and students from Black Hawk College alike are encouraged to audition. The organizations will also be looking for several artisans behind the scenes as well. Rehearsals will begin Monday, July 20, and the schedule will be set once the show is cast.
“We want this to be a true community effort. It’s the essence of what Black Hawk College is – a community college for everyone – and we want this to be a theatre for everyone,” Ms. Davis said.
Mr. Tapscott said that in the Quad Cities, the arts don’t just reflect the community – they are the community, where neighbors become audiences, audiences become collaborators.
“We hope this partnership can offer yet another opportunity to work together and inspire the next generation,” he added.
The Black Hawk-Mockingbird partnership is the latest development for the theater group. Mockingbird on Main was located in the downtown Davenport building called The Davenport at 324 Main St. That building had a partial collapse on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Three tenants were killed in the incident, and dozens of residents were left homeless and lost almost all of their property.
But the tragedy also hit the business community. Almost 20 businesses — three on the first floor of the apartment building and many near the building site — also were impacted. One of those business tenants on the first floor was Mockingbird on Main at 320 Main St.
But the Mockingbird quickly started its comeback story. In July of 2023, Mockingbird presented the play “The Glass Menagerie” at Black Hawk College, Moline, and later presented “Big Rock Candy Mountain” at The Black Box Theatre in downtown Moline.
Mockingbird officials say they hope this new partnership with Black Hawk College will be a long, great relationship.
“When education and artistry meet, the arts don’t just exist, they grow,” Mr. Tapscott said. “And together with Black Hawk, we can ensure that they thrive.”
