Special Thanks

Thanks to The Jocunda Festival, who presented a special live play reading of The Grace of God & The Man Machine, a Black Lives Matter play on Sunday, Oct. 25th to benefit The Riant Theatre

CLICK HERE to learn more…

Download the Press Release.

“The Naked House Painting Society”

“Easily the festival’s best. Riveting drama with genuine humor and intense relationships. Mystical in nature, the play turns on incisive philosophical dialogue.” — Winifred Walsh, The Baltimore Sun

“Slavery,” a play in one act

Ownership is the issue as two associates draft a patent at a huge law firm in Robert Bowie, Jr’s one‑act play “Slavery.”

“Crash & Burn PA”

“It’s pretty damned refreshing. Tightly woven, with comic prowess and a nicely fast pace. If you want a carefree night of fun and laughs, this is your ticket.” — Pandora Locks

“Witchcraft,” a play in one act

“‘Witchcraft’ offers the suspenseful flavor of Alfred Hitchcock show. The drama unfolds with many unanticipated twists and turns…” — Janet Stidman Evleth

Poet Laureate - Harvard Alumni Association

Robert is also an accomplished poet and HAA Poet Laureate. You can read some of his poems here.

Plays by Robert Bowie, Jr…

Sold-Out Shows, Rave Reviews!

Our FringeNYC premiere could not have gone better…

ONAJE sold out all five shows, the performances were riveting, and both audiences and critics were exceedingly positive. Check out these great reviews from onstageblog.com and Theatre is Easy (theasy.com) .

Thanks again to our incredible cast, crew, and creative team — and to everyone whose generous support helped bring ONAJE to life!

Recent Posts

Devil’s Advocate, Then a Short Summer Vacation

Devil’s Advocate, Then a Short Summer Vacation

I have decided to knock off for the next few weeks to enjoy the summer with the family. But before I do, just for the fun of it, let’s play devil’s advocate and irritate everybody.

Hey! Where are all the baby boomers protesting the January 6th “Stop the Steal” Capitol takeover and why aren’t they demanding an investigation?

And where are all the baby boomers protesting the misinformation being used by the Trump Republicans to take back the Senate and the House in only sixteen months?

The baby boomers divided into two groups back during the Vietnam War. There were those that were drafted and went to the war and those who went skirted the draft somehow and protested the war. Both sides claimed to be patriots.

The patriotism of the war protesters has always been tinged with a possible conflict of interest. Did the protesters prefer college rather than risking their lives at war? Still, their patriotism has always been secure because the war and its purpose were so mismanaged and the country was so misled. But…

But where are these patriots when our country and democracy are being threatened as it has rarely been before? Was that not an insurrection at the Capitol and is “Stop the Steal” not an ongoing attempted take over the country?

Is this not an issue that is far greater than the Vietnam War?

Those that criticized the protesters back then painted them as spoiled comfortable middle-and-upper- class brats who only thought of themselves and cared not for those who went in their place to possibly die.

What if the boomers are and have always have been America’s selfish generation?

Let’s all pretend that it’s gonna be all right. The investigations of Trump will build and fill the newspapers with the same drip, drip, drip of sustained conversation as happened with Nixon. And slowly the big donors will drift away and the Trump party with its roots in Newt Gingrich and southern racism will finally die. And the Trump Republicans who only represent themselves will fail to take back the Senate and the House and gridlock the progressives as they did with Obama.

As the baby boomers drift into old age, don’t worry, it’s gonna all work out. Like the bumper sticker says: “The one who dies with the most toys wins.”

Still, it does make you think that maybe self-interest and the responsibility of patriotism was too much for my generation.

Wouldn’t It Be Ironic?

So what the hell is irony? Perhaps irony is when you consider that the descendants of those who came from the previously enslaved may set the standard for the preservation of our freedom. Last week I again listened to Amanda Gorman’s poem at President Biden’s...

In Freedom’s Name

Apologies in advance. I am going to use the “N word.” On August 16, 1845, 27-year-old Frederick Douglass, a runaway slave at the risk of recapture, left the United States for a speaking tour of Ireland and the British Isles to promote his antislavery mission. When he...

Dear Soon to Be Graduates…

I want to share joy, appreciation, and an observation during this hardship on all graduating seniors, whether from high school, college, or any school, during this, our second COVID Graduation. I don’t really remember that much about all the details of my high school...

Hey! Where are all the baby boomers protesting the

Hey! Where are all the baby boomers protesting the January 6th “Stop the Steal” Capitol takeover and why aren’t they demanding an investigation?

And where are all the baby boomers protesting the misinformation being used by the Trump Republicans to take back the Senate and the House in only sixteen months?

The baby boomers divided into two groups back during the Vietnam War. There were those that were drafted and went to the war and those who went skirted the draft somehow and protested the war. Both sides claimed to be patriots.

The patriotism of the war protesters has always been tinged with a possible conflict of interest. Did the protesters prefer college rather than risking their lives at war? Still, their patriotism has always been secure because the war and its purpose were so mismanaged and the country was so misled. But…

But where are these patriots when our country and democracy are being threatened as it has rarely been before? Was that not an insurrection at the Capitol and is “Stop the Steal” not an ongoing attempted take over the country?

Is this not an issue that is far greater than the Vietnam War?

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#protest #stopthesteal #america #protesters #bidenwon #vietnam #trumplost #insurrection #justice #veteran #vietnamwarhistory #peacefulprotest #protecttheresults #makeamericagreatagain #vietnamwarprotest #fakenews #election2020 #capitolbuilding #republican #usa #jan6 #vietnamwar #riot #newblog #blogger #blog #newblogposted #newblogposts #babyboomer #10kstoriesofrbb

From my latest blog: "Today, I read a blog post b

From my latest blog:

"Today, I read a blog post by #HeatherCoxRichardson, the brilliant @bostoncollege professor, about the courage of Frederick Douglass as he risked his life to secure his freedom. He was a tradesman in Baltimore with a relatively safe life compared to other slaves of his time, but he risked his life for freedom to become the leader he became.

He got on a train from Baltimore to New York with false documents saying that he was free to travel as a freeman. Once he left on that train, he was either going to get off in New York or he was going to be imprisoned and shipped to the Southern states and his likely death.

It must have taken incredible courage and determination to get on that train. He risked his life for his freedom.

As I read the news today, I am convinced that we are at a turning point for freedom in the United States."
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#linkinbio #votingmatters #rockthevote #blm #policebrutality #love #america #whenweallvote #politics #vote #votevotevote #voting #election #blackvotesmatter #yourvotematters #votebymail #georgefloyd #democracy #vote2020 #registertovote #blacklivesmatter #voteforchange #nojusticenopeace #blackhistory #blackhistory365 #blackhistoryeveryday #10kstoriesofrbb

Last week I again listened to Amanda Gorman’s po

Last week I again listened to Amanda Gorman’s poem at President Biden’s inauguration and then to her TED Talk about how poetry is political. She points out that when totalitarian leaders take over, they burn books and imprison the creatives to silence alternative voices to their propaganda.

Read how I connect this to #frederickdouglass and our current fight to preserve our #democracy in my latest #blog. #linkinbio

Posted @withregram • @amandascgorman No matter how you say it, the hill we climb is a hill we climb together. So proud that this book is out today in the U.S. as well as abroad. It means so much to me because poets are so rarely given the privilege of being translated internationally. I’ve said it once, but I’ll say it again: I truly believe we can raise this wounded world into a wondrous one, and I am here for the climb. Love, Amanda 💛
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#poetryislife #poetrygram #poetrycommunity #quotes #bloglife #poetryofinstagram #poetrylovers #lovequotes #beautiful #bloggerstyle #writersofinstagram #photooftheday #nature #lifestyleblog #bloggerslife #lifestyle #happy #blogger #travel #poetsofinstagram #art #blogpost #poetryisnotdead #bloggerlife #motivation #10kstoriesofrbb

This week on the #blog, I talk about @amandascgorm

This week on the #blog, I talk about @amandascgorman, #frederickdouglass, and how their examples may move us towards the preservation of freedom.

"As I read the news today, I am convinced that we are at a turning point for freedom in the United States.

The Republican party stands for nothing but itself, its authoritarianism, and Trump. It is unrecognizable and unreconcilable with its past.

There is a high likelihood that because of the propaganda, the falsehoods of “the big lie,” and the Republican southern legislatures that have curtailed the right to vote, the GOP will win dominance in the House and perhaps the Senate in 2022.

If we each do not act now to protect this democracy over the next year and a half, we will lose it as we know it.

I think of what it will take for all of us to get on the train.

But I fear we do not know what we are losing." More at the #linkinbio👆
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#poetryislife #poetrygram #poetrycommunity #bloglife #poetryofinstagram #bloggerstyle #instagood #writersofinstagram #bloggerslife #blogger #poetsofinstagram #art #blogpost #poetryisnotdead #bloggerlife #motivation #votingmatters #blm #policebrutality #america #whenweallvote #politics #vote #democrats #votevotevote #voting #10kstoriesofrbb

Until we realize that our individual freedoms are

Until we realize that our individual freedoms are dependent on each other, we will repeat this servitude without end.

#linkinbio #amwriting #amblogging #poetry #poetrycommunity #10kstoriesofrbb

On August 16, 1845, 27-year-old Frederick Douglass

On August 16, 1845, 27-year-old Frederick Douglass, a runaway slave at the risk of recapture, left the United States for a speaking tour of Ireland and the British Isles to promote his antislavery mission. When he reached Dublin, Douglas first saw Daniel O’Connell the famous Irish patriot and, that afternoon, went to hear him speak on Catholic emancipation, self-government for Ireland and his hatred of slavery in America. After O’Connell spoke, he was introduced to Douglass. O’Connell had just turned 70 and was more than twice Douglass’ age. They shared their mutual hatred of slavery, and then unexpectedly, O’Connell introduced Douglass to the remaining crowd as “the Black O’Connell.”

Hats off to Robert Manson, who introduced me to this subject. Click the #linkinbio for my poem on the subject.

#poetry #poetrycommunity #poetry #10kstoriesofrbb

Part 2 of "Our Pandemic Déjà Vu-- All Over Again

Part 2 of "Our Pandemic Déjà Vu-- All Over Again? (2020-2021)"
A Salute to President Larry Bacow, Radcliffe College and the med school, my ode for the @harvardalumni virtual spring meeting. You can read all nine of my odes as Poet Laureate of the Harvard Alumni Association at the #linkinbio👆

Cut loose their students, to create crimson glory
And turn a dying world into a living laboratory
But though they risked their lives for their fellow man
Harvard still made them all take their final exams.
But this time it is all different! There was no way
We would let this become John Harvard’s Groundhog Day!

No! This time we turned an “influenza” into a blessing:
Alston expanded its plans and our profs kept professing
With new teaching tools like Zoom to raise the dead...to the dean’s list
While the med school brilliantly kept the COVID cases de minimis
And new off campus virtual labs where you can “blow stuff up” --
I’m so retro I once tried that with a cherry bomb and a cigarette butt.

But no. No. This was no reboot of some pre-Zoot suit goof.
No. No. Because this time there weren’t no “oops!”
So behold a spirit moves and John Harvard walks the Yard
And the books will reopen and soon the gates will be unbarred
And Larry Bacow, hats off for your leadership and thank you
For the quarantine that saved us from some horrible, centennial, déjà.

#poetry #harvard #harvarduniversity #harvardalumni #harvardalumniassociation #poetlaureate #10kstoriesofrbb

This year's @harvardalumni Ode, Part 1 (full poem

This year's @harvardalumni Ode, Part 1 (full poem at link in bio)

Our Pandemic Déjà Vu-- All Over Again? (2020-2021)
A Salute to President Larry Bacow, Radcliffe College and the med school

Since the HAA Spring Meetings – again -- will not convene in person this year, my ode as your Poet Laureate (again - with the tip of my hat to our poet Seamus Heaney) Is recited – like last year - from outside my kitchen door. Take a look at the video.

“A spirit moved. John Harvard walked the Yard.
The books stood open and the gates unbarred.”
I quote Seamus Heaney. Cause he’s a real rock star....
I’m not, so imagine the gates are not unbarred...
Because I’m quarantined and locked out of Harvard Yard
With my ode to Radcliffe and our med school stars!

Wait! Seriously, what, as your Poet Laureate, am I supposed to do?
What is funny about a pandemic, déjà vu?
The T.V. talks back and works when it wants
“Are you there?” each Zoom call is like a séance.
So what do you do if you’re caught repeating in a déjà vu?
Maybe rediscover the past and add a touch of voodoo:

...So let’s travel back before Zoom calls and the cell phone,
Even before the Yard, was “the Yard” and Harvard’s home.
Before the Roaring Twenties and all that glamour and glitz
Before the gates were “unbarred” because they didn’t exist
And Widener and the new dorms were just completed.
Is this the déjà vu that’s being repeated?

...Back a hundred years when tea was served on a credenza.
Back to 1918, to the “Spanish Flu.” Yeah--the “Influenza.”
There were Harvard heroes... but some got fooled.
Radcliffe quarantined but Harvard briefly... opened the school.
Oops! Radcliffe wrote a feminist musical spoof to poke fun
About a group of men who fell in love with a smoking gun

Named, Ina Flue Enza, and kissed her mouth on mouth
And were quarantined in Bertum Hall renamed: the “Pest house.”
And HMS emptied out its classrooms and came through
To study each patient’s cough, sniffle and Ha-choo
And great professors like George Minot and Dean David Edsall,
Under pressure, heroes with their backs up against the wall,

#poetry #poetrycommunity #harvarduniversity #classof2021 #10kstoriesofrbb

Dear Soon to Be Graduates… I want to share joy,

Dear Soon to Be Graduates…

I want to share joy, appreciation, and an observation during this hardship on all graduating seniors, whether from high school, college, or any school, during this, our second COVID Graduation.

I don’t really remember that much about all the details of my high school graduation. But I do know that the friends I made and that school itself still shape my life with a respect for the arts and a respect for the uniqueness of the lives of the different people of that school.

My college graduation I do remember, but more because I have made new friends each year when I return to carry out my responsibilities on the “Happy Committee.” The alums on the Happy Committee put on and manage the graduation each year, so I relive the happiness of my graduation each year by helping others celebrate.

In both cases, my memories of graduation have been shaped over the years by the present more than the past.

More at the #linkinbio

#poetry #poetrycommunity #amwriting #amblogging #poetlaureate #harvarduniversity #harvardalumniassociation #10kstoriesofrbb

Deja Vu All Over Again. Dear soon to be graduates…

I want to share joy, appreciation, and an observation during this hardship on all graduating seniors, whether from high school, college, or any school, during this, our second COVID Graduation.

I don’t really remember that much about all the details of my high school graduation. But I do know that the friends I made and that school itself still shape my life with a respect for the arts and a respect for the uniqueness of the lives of the different people of that school.

My college graduation I do remember, but more because I have made new friends each year when I return to carry out my responsibilities on the “Happy Committee.” The alums on the Happy Committee put on and manage the graduation each year, so I relive the happiness of my graduation each year by helping others celebrate.

In both cases, my memories of graduation have been shaped over the years by the present more than the past.

For the last nine years, I have written a humorous, often self-mocking ode, which I read at the Spring meetings of my Alumni Association. Last year, there was no graduation because of COVID, so my ode had to be videoed outdoors and delivered by Zoom at the meeting.

This year that ritual had to be repeated again, as a “pandemic déjà vu. ..all over again.” But this time I compared the university’s response to the influenza of 1918 with its improved response to the present pandemic, in again a humorous, self-mocking effort to tell a story of joy and uniqueness.

This year, my advice to those graduating is to stay in touch with your classmates. You will find that those reunions and the evolving friendships will make these strange years even more precious even though you had to suffer through a Zoom graduation.

My guess is that you will share the humor from all of this with your classmates over time, and the bonds will grow stronger because of the uniqueness of this year—and because you survived all the craziness.

“My Hat’s Off to You!”

#poetry #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers #poetryofinstagram #harvardalumniassociation #harvarduniversity #amwriting #amblogging #10kstoriesofrbb

How dark was my dark place last week? "Two days a

How dark was my dark place last week?

"Two days ago, when I finished my first draft of a Covid Comedy about global warming, rats, bats and our place on the planet, I firmly believed my empathy had become misplaced by the pandemic.

The rats must be horribly embarrassed about dropping the ball 400 years ago, when their bubonic plague didn’t eradicate humankind once and for all. Because now, for the poor rats, it’s much worse.

The rats have been upstaged. These upstart bats are getting all the credit for COVID and the anti-homo sapiens dark web is reporting that the bats had unified all earth’s creatures for the great second global effort to liberate the planet. But the rats dropped the ball again because they are dangerously late coordinating and bringing out Bubonic 2.0.

Maybe it’s Stockholm Syndrome from eating human leftovers out of dumpsters for 100 years. I can feel their pain. After all, you are what you eat.

But think about how very sad the rats must feel now! Will they forever be remembered for being stupider than human beings who can’t stop global warming or polluting the planet or even stop killing their own kind and get vaccinated?"

#amwriting #amblogging #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmonth #theater #arts #writingcommunity #10kstoriesofrbb

#throwbackthursday Last week, after a dark time,

#throwbackthursday

Last week, after a dark time, I decided to call Van Dirk Fisher, an artist whom I admire greatly. I have never met Van in person. We have only met on Zoom calls but I have watched him work. He was the inspiration I needed.

The Black Experimental Theatre (BET) a.k.a. The Riant Theatre @rianttheatre, was founded in New York in 1979, as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization, by artistic director Van Dirk Fisher. BET is a theatre that entertains as well as teaches by nurturing and developing new works by playwrights that encompass the historic and social progression of African Americans and the contributions the Black community has made in the United States. Last October, Van directed and staged a brilliant virtual performance of my play The Grace of God & The Man Machine in anticipation of a staged performance when the NYC theaters reopen.

Van is an inspiration first and foremost, both because he has and continues to make amazing art and because he overcomes the impossible, always. I saw him cast the virtual play brilliantly and then proceed to teach the actors how to use virtual backdrops, even though they were located in different states. He was so good, he got three actors in three different locations to pass a joint as if they were sitting at the same picnic table. He created both the intimacy of theater and the close-ups of movies.

The talkback afterwards had as many as 80 people participating while he artfully directed the conversation.

During the call, Van and I talked about his theatre and his accomplishments as well as about preparing for the performance of my play at The Riant Theatre.

#amwriting #amblogging #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmonth #theater #arts #writingcommunity #10kstoriesofrbb

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About Robert Bowie, Jr.

Playwright and Poet Robert Bowie, Jr. of Baltimore, Maryland has had ten plays produced, including “Onaje,” which was selected for professional production at FringeNYC in October 2018. Its five sold-out FringeNYC performances received rave reviews. Other plays include “There Ain’t No Wyoming” and “Naked House Painting Society,” which were produced through The Baltimore Playwrights Festival. Bowie’s political farce “Crash & Burn P.A.” was the only submission selected by the 2016 Festival Committee for a full production at Theatrical Mining Company, Baltimore.

Currently, Bowie is working on a operetta in partnership with Mind The Art Entertainment. Entitled “Vox Populi,” it is a comical, interactive tale about the deadly sin of pride.

Bowie’s plays are focused on social justice and span a broad spectrum between drama and comedy. His subject matter ranges from plays about racial prejudice and civil rights to political farce.

Bowie is a graduate of Harvard University and is the Poet Laureate of The Harvard Alumni Association (HAA).

“Without the arts, we are a rudderless boat.”
— Robert Bowie, Jr.