Interview: Artistic Director Trey Morgan Lewis Talks the FADE TO BLACK READING SERIES
By: Katricia Lang Jan. 06, 2016
The FADE TO BLACK READING SERIES is "Reader's Theatre with spice!" according to Fade to Black Artistic Director Trey Morgan Lewis. Unlike most readings, the two-night only series-January 8 and 9-incorporates an urban music artist performing original pieces and a live D.J. Also, unlike most readings, FADE TO BLACK READING SERIES focuses on new works by African-American playwrights.
In his conversation with BroadwayWorld.com, the artist and artistic director explains the impetus behind the reading series and shares a few secrets about the nine plays included as well as his thoughts on the current theater scene's failure to support new works by African-American playwrights.
Is the FADE TO BLACK READING SERIES a complement to or a replacement for the FADE TO BLACK PLAY FESTIVAL? In either case, could you explain why?
The FADE TO BLACK READING SERIES is an enhancement to the FADE TO BLACK PLAY FESTIVAL. We decided to start the reading series in hopes to appeal to a younger audience. With that in mind, we threw caution to the wind and decided to go with an urban theme. This is not your typical Readers Theatre. This will be a groundbreaking, revolutionized approach to "just reading plays".
How so?
Most people, when they come to a reading, generally notice the actors are sitting in a chair, in all black, reading their scripts off of a black music stand. Our approach to the reading series incorporates a live DJ, an urban artist and their pieces, and much more. Think of it as Reader's Theatre with spice! We believe that this series will definitely appeal to youthful and "youthful" at heart audience members. Though we are taking an "urban" approach, audience members of all ages will enjoy this night of theatre.
How was each play chosen for inclusion?
Over the years, many different African-American playwrights from around the world have submitted their works to the main festival that takes place in June. Since we could not produce all the great works that were submitted, we looked back at the top picks, and chose pieces that stood out. In our opinion, the pieces we chose will be perfect for the series.
So the plays included in the reading this weekend will not be included in the play festival coming up in June?
Correct. The plays that will be presented in the FADE TO BLACK READING SERIES will not be in the 2016 Play Festival. Submissions for the 2016 Play Festival open on Monday, February 1, 2016 , and will close on Friday, April 1, 2016. [Playwrights interested in entering the FADE TO BLACK PLAY FESTIVAL can visit fadetoblackfest.com. - Ed.]
Could you describe the included pieces?
Well, without giving away all of the story lines, I can just say that there are a wide variety of themes among the 9 chosen plays. As always, we try to have diverse works. So you will see pieces dealing with historical events, sexuality, self-identification, and much more. Just like our yearly play festival, these plays will strike your urge to think, reflect, and connect to your inner-self.
A production like FADE TO BLACK is still very rare in Houston. Why do you think that is?
Festivals like FADE TO BLACK take a certain group of people to pull it off. These people need to know and understand what it is like to be an African-American artist, whether it's being a playwright, director, technician, or actor. FADE TO BLACK was created because there was not a festival that celebrated African-American playwrights. I can almost say that some theaters are too afraid to hear our playwrights' voices, and how we speak to ourselves. To our audience. To our people.
Please explain further. What do you think makes theaters afraid?
Most times when we think about going to experience theatre, we think about the glitz and glam of the art form. We look to get away from the issues of our day to day lives. Even to this day, the very thought of presenting certain forms of contemporary work is considered dangerous, or disturbing.
Since day one, Fade to Black has embraced the danger, and has produced strong adult content dealing with race, sexuality, identity and much more less talked about subject matters.
What is the continued importance of FADE TO BLACK?
It is key that we, as Fade to Black, remain that strong, resounding voice for the African-American artist. There is never a time where we as a people should be silenced. The dramatic art of theatre was designed to be a reality check, a mirror if you will, to the world. We, as artists, share our truths through our art, and art can not be silenced.
Trey Morgan Lewis is a current Theatre Arts student at Sam Houston State University. Along with being the Artistic Director of Houston's Fade to Black, he is also the Executive Director and Co-founder of the Bayou Theatre Company, one of Houston's youngest ran theatre companies.
FADE TO BLACK READING SERIES. Jan 8 - 9 at 8 pm. $10. Dance Source Houston, 2201 Preston St. fadetoblackfest.com
Photos courtesy of Trey Morgan Lewis, Fade to Black
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