The Mesa College Theatre Company, working with the San Diego Black Ensemble and Vagabond Theatre Project, is producing a series of staged readings, “Pioneers and the Journey: A Festival of African American Plays” to explore the African American Experience – an experience in and of itself based on my experiences within the experience, experiencely speaking if there is such a term (big smile).
As a guest artist I’m privileged to read Brabantio’s words in Othello, one of Bill S’s exquisite dramas. Brabantio, as you might know, is Desdemona’s father who, like so many fathers today, is not thrilled that his daughter has married a black dude: Othello. Add Iago and Cassio and Roderigo and a few other people whose names end in “o,” people with all kinds of intents and purposes, and you’ve got yourself quite a show.
It’s been fun working with young students at Mesa who are studying the many exciting aspects of working in the theater. I hope these budding actors and directors and technicians stay around and join the many talented theater folks in San Diego.
There are three other plays, Oyster, Raisin in the Sun and Paul Robeson on the bill. The readings take place May 20-22 at the Apolliad Theatre at Mesa College.
If our performances are anything like our rehearsals a good time should be had by all.
