Make Them Hear You is a concert series created to highlight and showcase the Black Voice in all of its facets. With 54 Below being its current home, we come together to educate the masses on lesser known Black musicals written by black creators while simultaneously building community - by giving space to those who feel stuck and featuring voices of those who have been made to feel as though theirs doesn't matter. Join us in person or via livestream and celebrate with us. - Mia
PAST SHOWS
February 2024
Before The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, The Wiz, and even Shuffle Along, there was In Dahomey. Come and celebrate Black history with us as 54 Below pays homage to Broadway’s first full-length musical to be both written and performed by Black artists.
Known for featuring the legendary comedy duo of Bert Williams and George Walker, treat yourself to a rare opportunity to be swept up in the groundbreaking, and largely forgotten 1903 score that blended opera with ragtime. With music by Will Marion Cook and lyrics by Paul Laurence Dunbar, In Dahomey was unlike anything Broadway audiences had ever seen before.
Co-produced by Caseen Gaines and Pier Lamia Porter and featuring an all-star cast, 54 Sings In Dahomey is the perfect way to celebrate an unsung gem of American musical theater. This show is presented as part of the Make Them Hear You series. Music direction by Gary Mitchell, Jr. and hosted by Lance Roberts.
December 2023
Welcome to the next volume of the Black Writers Showcase – the newest addition to the Make Them Hear You concert series here at 54 Below! We’re continuing our journey highlighting and giving space to Black creatives by showcasing up-and-coming Black writers in the city. They’ll be sharing their writing journey with us, premiering new pieces, and revisiting older works. Produced by series creator Pier Lamia Porter, join us as we bring you more of the fiercest emerging Black voices in the area.
November 2023
The Make Them Hear You concert series is back with Volume 4 of Ode to Black Musicals!
Join us as we continue to celebrate the sweet and soulful sound that is Black Musicals. We’ll be featuring songs from Black Musicals written by Black creative teams both past and present – continuing to showcase music from In Dahomey, the first full-length musical written and performed by Black artists to play Broadway. Shuffle Along with us as we explore the music and history of those who came before us while exploring some new sounds along the way. Come out and hear some favorites, be introduced to new music, and walk away with a new playlist. Music direction by Jarred Lee.
August 2023
Back by popular demand! If you’re looking for a night of dancing, singing, and rock ‘n roll…this is the show for you. Join us at 54 Below as we celebrate Tina Turner – a legend who opened the doors for countless Black Women in the industry – and the women who were directly influenced by her. Come out and celebrate the strength, originality, and grace that is the Black Woman while paying special tribute to one of the many women who built the foundation that we stand on today. This show is a part of the Make Them Hear You Series curated/produced by Pier Lamia Porter
March 2023
If you’re looking for a night of dancing, singing, and rock ‘n roll…this is the show for you. Join us at 54 Below as we celebrate Tina Turner – a legend who opened the doors for countless Black Women in the industry – and the women who were directly influenced by her. You’ll be hearing music by the woman herself – Tina Turner, Janet Jackson, Janelle Monae, Rihanna, Beyonce, and more…. You’ll have to show up to find out the rest and you won’t want to miss this!! Come out and celebrate the strength, originality, and grace that is the Black Woman. This show is a part of the Make Them Hear You Series curated/produced by Pier Lamia Porter
February 2023
The highly anticipated Volume 3 of Make Them Hear You: An Ode to Black Musicals is here and ready for your enjoyment!
Join us again as we continue to celebrate the sweet and soulful sound that is Black Musicals. We’ll be featuring songs from Black Musicals written by Black Creative teams both past and present – also continuing to showcase music from
In Dahomey, the first full-length musical written and performed by Black Artists to play Broadway. “Ease on Down the Road” with us as we explore the music and history of those who came before us by rocking out to
Eubie!, grooving with It Ain’t Nothin’ but The Blues, worshiping with
Raisin the Musical, and much much more while also exploring some new sounds along the way.
November 2022
Welcome to the next installment of the ‘Make Them Hear You’ series here at 54 Below! We’re continuing our journey highlighting and giving space to Black creatives by showcasing up and coming Black writers in the city. They’ll be sharing their writing journey with us, premiering new pieces, and revisiting older works. Produced by Pier Lamia Porter, join us as we bring you some of the fiercest emerging Black voices
FEBRUARY 2023
The highly anticipated Volume 3 of Make Them Hear You: An Ode to Black Musicals is here and ready for your enjoyment!
Join us again as we continue to celebrate the sweet and soulful sound that is Black Musicals. We’ll be featuring songs from Black Musicals written by Black Creative teams both past and present – also continuing to showcase music from In Dahomey, the first full-length musical written and performed by Black Artists to play Broadway.
PAST SHOWS
July 2022
You joined us as we stepped to Dreamgirls, danced with the Wiz, and flew to the Cabin in the Sky. So now, black by popular demand, Make Them Hear You: An Ode to Black Musicals, Volume 2 is coming your way!
Join us again as we continue to celebrate the sweet and soulful sound that is Black Musicals. We’ll be featuring songs from Black Musicals written by Black Creative teams both past and present – showcasing another song from, In Dahomey, the first full-length musical written and performed by Black Artists to play Broadway. “Ease on Down the Road” with us as we explore the music and history of those who came before us by rocking out to Passing Strange, grooving with It Ain’t Nothin’ but The Blues, worshiping with Raisin the Musical, and much much more while also exploring some new sounds along the way.
March 2022
New York City’s rising opera stars celebrate love in its many forms in an evening of popular love songs spanning from classical and Broadway to ballads and ragtime. The evening will include powerful voices featured in the Grammy Award-winning production Porgy and Bess and the sold-out Fire Shut Up in My Bones at the Metropolitan Opera in 2021. Co-Produced with Makeda Hampton
February 2022
Happiness is a thing called… join us at Feinstein’s/54 Below as we pay homage to the musicals that celebrate the unique and innate grace that is the Black Voice. It will be a joyous occasion as we come together to present a concert of songs, both familiar and new.
For “One Night Only,” you’ll step with Dreamgirls, dance with The Wiz, fly with Cabin in the Sky, and much, much more. Featuring black artists from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and beyond, this is a guaranteed night of fun.