African American Theater 101 w/ On Q Starts April 1

African American Theater 101

On Q’s education series focuses on essential plays to the repertoire of Black Theater. In each workshop, there will be a stage reading of an African American theater piece and afterward a class discussion of literary devices, historical context and cultural themes & issues within the play. The readings will be presented by local actors and the class discussions will be facilitated by area professors Dr. Corliss Hayes (CPCC), Dr. Malin Pereira (UNCC) and Dr. Mack Staton (JCSU).

**All Readings/Classes will take place @
JCSU Arts Factory, 1545 W. Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28208

Click Here to RSVP for Classes!

Free!
*(suggested donation $10)

Sunday, April 1st @ 3pm

April 1^st, Fences by August Wilson – Fences is a 1983 play by American playwright August Wilson. Set in the 1950s, it is the sixth in Wilson’s ten-part Pittsburgh Cycle. Like all of the Pittsburgh plays, Fences explores the evolving African American experience and examines race relations, among other themes. The play won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1987 Tony Award for best Play and recently revived on Broadway with award winning actors Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.

Monday, April 16th @ Noon

April 16^th, The Children of Children Keep Coming by Russ Goings- The Children of Children Keep Coming is an awe-inspiring contribution to literature. A breathtaking form of poetic expression, this unique work presents a riveting chronicle of the African American experience in the United States. The Children of Children Keep Comingis strung seamlessly together — by poetry and prose, blues and gospel, hymns and jazz, work songs and prayers — forcing the universal harmony of the cry for freedom and justice to reach an unforgettable pitch that cannot be ignored. Catch the beginning stages of this work from reading to an original stage production, slated for On Q in the near future.

*Note, author Russell Goings will be in attendance for this special reading.

Sunday, April 29th @ 3pm

April 29^th, Fucking A by Suzan Lori-Parks- Fucking A – is inspired by the novel The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850. Fucking A shares several similarities with this work; both of the main characters are named Hester and are strong females with an unwavering love for their illegitimate child. Both Hester’s also bear the letter “A” as a symbol of how society defines them: the modern Hester is an abortionist; the original is branded for adultery. This work by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan Lori Parks is the sister play to In the Blood, produced by On Q in Season 1.