“To be or not to be. That is the question.” Wait a minute. That’s not right. “To be Young, Gifted and Black” that is the upcoming theatre production at Central State University. “Expect a good experience,” actor Richard Wright said. “Students hardly come out to our productions. I hope they come out and enjoy this great (production).”
“To be Young, Gifted, and Black” takes its name from the song that Nina Simone wrote about playwright Lorraine Hansberry. The production includes excerpts from Hansberry’s best known plays while shedding light on her too short life. It also includes music from Aretha Franklin. “I thought it would be interesting to combine Lorraine Hansberry's story about growing up as a young African American artist and combine that with Aretha Franklin who was the Queen of Soul,” director John Fleming said. “They share a similar story.”
Students say they have enjoyed learning about one of the icon’s of African American literature. "Just learning about Lorraine Hansberry has been fascinating,” Wright said. “I really didn’t know about her that much, but I knew about her work.”
Junior Avesha Clarke plays Hansberry in the production. She urges student to give live theatre a chance. “Keep an open mind!” Clarke said. “Look into the message of the play.”
“To be Young, Gifted and Black” will be presented April 3-4, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. in Paul Robeson Auditorium. Admission is free.