Play "Flying West" set for Friday
Randi Okray
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: News
The theater arts department will present the play "Flyin West" April 18, 2008 in the atrium at 7:30 p.m.
The play, set in an all-Black town in 1898, focuses on pioneer African-American women dealing with lifestyle changes and settlement. The women have moved from Memphis to Kansas to become more independent.
The play consists of six characters: "Ms. Lee," played by Chasity Crawford; "Fannie Dove," played by Leondra Doakes; "Minnie Dove," played by LaShai Hill; "Sophie Washington," played by Brittney Ellis; "Will," played by Ron Fernendez; and "Frank Charles," played by Brandon Williams.
Dr. Benjamin Bates, associate professor of communications and director of "Flyin West," said he chose this play because it dealt with many issues that people still have problems with today. He said that in the play there were issues with domestic violence and issues over skin color.
Pearl Cleage is the author of this play, and someone who Bates truly admires.
"I like to do work by Black writers. I admire their angle of history and she brought up some interesting issues in this play," Bates said.
There are many interesting characters in the play.
Williams, who plays Frank, said his role was a bit of a challenging.
"Frank is so opposite of me. He's crazy and mean and I had to try to get in that angry state of mind," Williams said.
According to Bates, Langston has produced about 15 to 20 plays, with "Raisin in the Sun" produced in 1999 being its first.
Hill who plays "Minnie," considers it an honor to be apart of the "Flyin West" production.
"I'm happy to be making history. It's a really big thing to me. Now, as far as my character, the girl is weak and I don't like her, but I can pull it off," Hill said.
The play, set in an all-Black town in 1898, focuses on pioneer African-American women dealing with lifestyle changes and settlement. The women have moved from Memphis to Kansas to become more independent.
The play consists of six characters: "Ms. Lee," played by Chasity Crawford; "Fannie Dove," played by Leondra Doakes; "Minnie Dove," played by LaShai Hill; "Sophie Washington," played by Brittney Ellis; "Will," played by Ron Fernendez; and "Frank Charles," played by Brandon Williams.
Dr. Benjamin Bates, associate professor of communications and director of "Flyin West," said he chose this play because it dealt with many issues that people still have problems with today. He said that in the play there were issues with domestic violence and issues over skin color.
Pearl Cleage is the author of this play, and someone who Bates truly admires.
"I like to do work by Black writers. I admire their angle of history and she brought up some interesting issues in this play," Bates said.
There are many interesting characters in the play.
Williams, who plays Frank, said his role was a bit of a challenging.
"Frank is so opposite of me. He's crazy and mean and I had to try to get in that angry state of mind," Williams said.
According to Bates, Langston has produced about 15 to 20 plays, with "Raisin in the Sun" produced in 1999 being its first.
Hill who plays "Minnie," considers it an honor to be apart of the "Flyin West" production.
"I'm happy to be making history. It's a really big thing to me. Now, as far as my character, the girl is weak and I don't like her, but I can pull it off," Hill said.
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