American Revival: Memphis
A movement of music, voices and radical kindness. Making goodness attractive in divided times.
American Revival, a new traveling festival of hope created by filmmaker Nicholas Ma, comes to Memphis on May 13, 2026. The program will weave together music, film, and community engagement to create a shared vision for why and how we matter to each other, all of us, even as we feel more divided than ever.
The experience begins with a Festival of Helpers at 5pm at the Scheidt Center’s Assisi Foundation Lobby. Local organizations and nonprofits will gather to showcase ways to get involved locally, with fun activations and activities for kids.
Doors to the show open at 6pm, and the show begins at 7pm.
The evening will feature a call to love from filmmaker Nicholas Ma, as well as appearances by music producer T Bone Burnett, acclaimed singer-songwriter Valerie June, world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and 2x Grammy winners Speech Thomas and Tasha LaRae of Arrested Development, alongside additional special guests.
An American Revival
It’s a reminder. A pledge that no matter what we want for the country, we want the same things for our neighbors: peace, security, kindness. We want to love and be loved.
It’s an act of faith. To trust that how we treat our neighbors will resound loudly enough to change us as a nation.
It’s a movement. We may be divided today, but we share a belief that we can belong to each other tomorrow. When we come together, we reinforce that belief and build a deeper and stronger community. It’s a movement that rejects the toxic politics of today, and instead channels the radical kindness of Mister Rogers.
www.american-revival.us (opens in a new tab)
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For questions/concerns, please reach out to Teddy Beamerat at teddy@ernestlyford.com (opens in a new tab)
Date
University of Memphis - Performing Arts
- The Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center, the region's largest and most comprehensive performing arts facility, is the proud home of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. With a commitment to showcasing the performing arts within the community, this world-class center spans 82,000 square feet and boasts state-of-the-art facilities.
Conceived as a hub for artistic expression, education, and community engagement, the center is the realization of the late Rudi E. Scheidt's vision. Alongside his family, he aspired to create a world-class performing arts center for their beloved hometown. After two decades of dedication and planning, the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center officially opened its doors on February 4, 2023.
- The Department of Theatre & Dance, located in the College of Communication and Fine Arts at the University of Memphis, fosters the development of our students on an individual basis. We offer a BFA in Theatre with concentrations in performance, musical theatre, dance, dance science and design and technical production as well as an MFA in Theatre with concentrations in directing and design and technical production. We tailor our program to your needs. We offer dynamic performance, design, and production opportunities both in the classroom and in our four performance spaces. We also create an intimate community for intense one-on-one learning opportunities. Our faculty nurtures the individual progress of each student. We offer the opportunity for students to explore a range of areas within the theatre or a specialization in only one.