Lisa Waddell Buser

Ekundayo Bandele bridges the gap.

It’s probably no surprise that the home of Hattiloo Theatre, the year-old black repertory company started by Ekundayo Bandele (Ek, for short) and named for his two daughters, is in a neighborhood called the Edge. As in the edge of Downtown, but in a larger sense, Ek and Hattiloo are at the edge of the area’s arts renaissance, and going strong.

This playwright, novelist, and former New Yorker attributes Hattiloo’s success to the support of the whole community, from the artist who leased him the building (which also includes Zora’s, a cabaret space) to the foundations and individuals who believed in it. Ek sees himself standing on the middle ground, connecting black people and white people through the arts; he’s collaborating with Opera Memphis, and hopes to do more.

“My approach is not insular,” he says.“Hattiloo is not only for the black community, it’s for the whole community.”

The best thing about wearing a skirt? “If it were socially acceptable, I’d wear a skirt all the time…I love the air!”

The best thing about reading skirt!? “As opposed to other women’s magazines, the women in it seem to be more grounded. It’s real.”