Theater Arts Program to Carry out Flyin’ West
Play Focuses on Black Feminine Pioneers Who Settled the West
MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, [email protected], 301-860-4311
(BOWIE, Md.) – Flyin’ West, a play a few small group of African-American girls pioneers whose lives modified after they moved from the South to Nicodemus, Kansas as a part of the Homestead Act within the late nineteenth century, will likely be carried out by BSU’s Theater Arts Program Nov. 17-19, within the High quality and Performing Arts Heart Primary Stage Theatre.
Writen by Pearl Cleage in 1992, the play focuses on the backgrounds, actions, and emotions of 4 girls, two males and their struggles with freedom, feminism, racism and intermarriage. Freedom and belonging are themes which have lengthy dominated tales within the Black group and Flyin’ West is a type of tales which highlights the energy freedom requires.
“Flyin’ West delves into most of the identical subjects that impacted the lives of the play’s characters that we as a society proceed to deal with as we speak,” stated theater arts Professor Elena Velasco. “On the coronary heart of the play is freedom, particularly newly gained freedom. These characters not solely needed to carve a life in uncharted land, however envision a future for generations to come back whereas nonetheless therapeutic and being formed by their very own enslaved previous. Our solid has been working exceptionally onerous, and with director Angelisa Gillyard’s vitality, we anticipate to have robust performances.
Angelisa Gillyard, a well known native director who brings years of expertise with Constellation Theater and 1st Stage, joins BSU stage supervisor Malaysha Saboleh (Class of 2023) and BSU alum and visitor designer Lornezo Miguel Henriquez (Class of 2021) to rejoice the resilience of ancestors and the energy of sisterhood because the characters confront racism and challenges to their alternatives and goals.
“The play uniquely portrays an neglected chapter in our nation’s historical past – the migration of Black girls to the West – and introduces themes of feminine energy, relationships, and willpower,” stated Velasco.
Flyin’ West serves as a reminder that the Western United States had been settled by a various inhabitants and that the Homestead Act enabled individuals from all races and ethnic backgrounds to personal land. The land given away by the Homestead Act of 1862 was initially the land of Native Individuals.
“The play will pose the query for audiences about how we should frequently confront our origins and people who got here earlier than us in an effort to transfer ahead as a nation,” stated Velasco.
For ticket data, go to https://our.present/bowie-state-university-theatre/flyinwest
###
About Bowie State College
Bowie State College (BSU) is a vital larger schooling entry portal for certified individuals from numerous educational and socioeconomic backgrounds, searching for a high-quality and inexpensive public complete college. The college locations particular emphasis on the science, expertise, cybersecurity, trainer schooling, enterprise and nursing disciplines inside the context of a liberal arts schooling. For extra details about BSU, go to bowiestate.edu.