August in April, A Tribute to August Wilson's Life and Legacy, presented by Brooklyn College in collaboration with Arizona State University, will run from April 27 through April 29 at the Harry DeJur Playhouse. An anthology drama comprising performed excerpts of Wilson's works, the show fuses live performance with filmed commentaries from celebrated artists and scholars.
"Directed by Yvette Ganier, the drama focuses on the notions of youth and legacy, exploring through theater the world of today's youth. The production's exclusive commentaries serve to personally connect the audience to Wilson's works, providing insight into his sensibility and intentions.
August in April incorporates the talents of professional actors and students of Brooklyn College's Theater Department and Performance and Interactive Media Arts (PIMA) program," state press notes. Commentators for the documentary include:
Phylicia Rashad, Charles Dutton, Suzan-Lori Parks, Stephen Henderson,
Viola Davis,
Anthony Chisholm, Paul Carter Harrison, Rubin Santiago-Hudson, Lloyd Richards, Paul Butler,
Woodie King, and Gus Edwards.
Reinforcing Wilson's commitment to education and building new audiences, there will be an enhanced morning performance for high school students. The two 10:00 a.m. performances scheduled for April 27 and 28 are subsidized through a diversity grant from the City University of New York, with additional funding from the Brooklyn College Theater Department. Study guides will be provided for each group and will serve as an incentive for teachers to extend their students' experience and integrate Wilson's works into their academic curriculum. To engage students further, the CUNY Creative Arts Team will conduct post-performance discussions.
Spearheading the team are Dr. Dale Byam and Charles St. Clair. Dr. Byam is an artist- scholar who has devoted much of her research to investigating how theater can be used as a tool of development in disparate countries of the African continent. She is an assistant professor of educational theater at Brooklyn College. Her responsibilities include creating links between theater and adolescent learning. Charles St. Clair is an Emmy award-winning director who is also technical director in the Interdisciplinary Arts and Performance Department at Arizona State University.
August in April highlights excerpts from the following ten plays:
Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Fences, Two Trains Running, Jitney, King Hedley II, and
Radio Golf.August In April, A Tribute to August Wilson's Life and Legacy, runs Thursday, April 27 through Saturday April 29, 2006, in the Harry DeJur Playhouse at the Henry Street Settlement Abrons Art Center (466 Grand Street, New York, NY).
Tickets for August In April are $10 and can be purchased online at
www.theatermania.com or at the Henry Street Settlement box office, day of performance only. For more information please call 718-951-5888 or email daleb@brooklyn.cuny.edu.
