New play addresses the impact pop culture has on the Black community
United States of America (Press Release) November 5, 2007 --
On October 24, 2007, dozens of Morgan State University (MSU) students answered a casting call for actors for the original play "Shades of Black: A Thought In Progress". The play, written by writer and MSU program manager Khadijah Ali-Coleman piqued the interest of students who had previously viewed the video intro of the play found on Facebook.
"I was intrigued," said one student. The video intro presents images of Black America-- inclusive of everything from Flava Flav to pictures of civil rights activists-- set to the song "A.D. 2000" by Erykah Badu. Ali-Coleman created the video to solicit those interested in participating in the play and to entice people to want to come and see the play when it comes to stage.
Ali-Coleman, a thirty-something writer who has worked at MSU for a little over a year as an academic program manager, wrote the play in response to what she calls a pervasive assault on the senses of self-loving Black people.
"This is not a play talking about why music is bad but rather looks at how allowing negativity to define you creates a domino affect on every aspect of your life. My hope is that the play will encourage people-- particulaly young people-- to critically think about all that they see, hear, believe and embrace."
Jacquelyn Thomas, an MSU student who was cast in the role of Black Shakespeare-- a spoken-word spitting sage who appears sporadically throughout the play-- believes that the play is reminiscent of George C. Wolfe's iconic play "The Colored Museum".
"The way it educates and entertains is done brilliantly," Thomas says.
"Shades of Black: A Thought in Progress" will appear at MSU's Student Center Theatre on February 12, 13 and 14 in 2008. Call 443-885-3388 for ticket information. The play is produced by Morgan State University's Office of Residence Life as part of their Black History Month series.
"I was intrigued," said one student. The video intro presents images of Black America-- inclusive of everything from Flava Flav to pictures of civil rights activists-- set to the song "A.D. 2000" by Erykah Badu. Ali-Coleman created the video to solicit those interested in participating in the play and to entice people to want to come and see the play when it comes to stage.
Ali-Coleman, a thirty-something writer who has worked at MSU for a little over a year as an academic program manager, wrote the play in response to what she calls a pervasive assault on the senses of self-loving Black people.
"This is not a play talking about why music is bad but rather looks at how allowing negativity to define you creates a domino affect on every aspect of your life. My hope is that the play will encourage people-- particulaly young people-- to critically think about all that they see, hear, believe and embrace."
Jacquelyn Thomas, an MSU student who was cast in the role of Black Shakespeare-- a spoken-word spitting sage who appears sporadically throughout the play-- believes that the play is reminiscent of George C. Wolfe's iconic play "The Colored Museum".
"The way it educates and entertains is done brilliantly," Thomas says.
"Shades of Black: A Thought in Progress" will appear at MSU's Student Center Theatre on February 12, 13 and 14 in 2008. Call 443-885-3388 for ticket information. The play is produced by Morgan State University's Office of Residence Life as part of their Black History Month series.
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