Student-led production promotes diversity in theatre department

Daniella Tebib

News Editor

dtebib@murraystate.edu

A student-led production raised awareness of African American women and their experiences at Murray State.

Victoria Martin, senior from Central City, Kentucky, directed her own rendition of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf” April 10-12.

Victoria said her motivation to put on “For Colored Girls” was to help educate people about the issues African American women face.

“Ntozake Shange created this amazing play to describe the experiences of black women and to portray them in a way that is not only beneficial to black women, but also beneficial to the public for the purpose of education and teaching,” Victoria said.

She also said plays are an important outlet to open people up to a new world about topics they may not be educated about.

Janae Martin, sophomore from Fulton, Kentucky, portrayed the Lady in Purple. Janae said “For Colored Girls” depicts the lives of seven African American women living through a racist and sexist society. Each woman tells her own story including rape, abortion, domestic violence, suicide and HIV/AIDS.

“This play isn’t for the light-hearted,” Janae said. “This play was created to show what African American women had to go through.”

Ania Diallo, junior from Louisville, Kentucky, helped with the creation of the set, including seven panels – each one representing a character in the play symbolizing their hardships and personalities.

Diallo said “For Colored Girls” helps bring awareness to the lives and struggles of African American women which may not be present on campuses like Murray State.

“I think the production of ‘For Colored Girls’ is important for a campus like Murray State because growing up as a black woman in the South, there is a sense of intolerance of the presence and outspokenness of a black woman,” Diallo said. “I think this play not only impacts and breaks the stigma of the angry and untamable black woman, but also captures the elegance, softness and beauty of the black woman.”

Victoria said she also wanted to direct this show to highlight the lack of diversity in the theatre department in hopes of increasing black representation.

“I think with the lack of African Americans in theater, because I’m the only one in my department, is a struggle,” Victoria said. “It’s really hard to understand our experiences because they aren’t being told as a story, so me as a short, black female director who might not have the ability to be cast as much, or might not have the population of African Americans in the theatre department. I took it upon myself to work with the Office of Multicultural Initiatives to display African American talent.”

Victoria also said it can be hard to find shows on campus for African American women to participate in.

“I have friends who ask me to audition for things, but I ask where in this play is there room for diversity,” Victoria said.

Raevyn Winters, junior from Chicago, Illinois, was cast as the Lady in Green. She decided to audition for the show because she’s never had the opportunity to be in a play that showcases the lives of black women.

Winters also talked about her own experience as an African American woman on campus.

“I don’t feel heard enough,” Winters said. “I am only heard by people who look like me, but not by those who don’t. For example, when I go to diversity events, even though they are meant to be diverse, I only see minorities attend. Also, it seems that when I am heard by someone who doesn’t look like me, I feel as if I am sympathized rather than empathized with.”

To increase diversity in the program, Victoria said the department needs to be more welcoming and put some effort into recruiting African Americans.

“There are few of us on campus,” Victoria said. “So, when we’re the few on campus, there’s not many of us who say anything. Upon you being an ally, come and talk to us.”

However, Victoria said some professors in the theatre department have already reached out.

“One thing I do appreciate is one of the professors from my department, which is Daryl Phillipy,” Victoria said. “He came to my rehearsal and talked to the girls. He put an effort out to be like, ‘hey, what can the department do better?’ It’s important to create a stable conversation.”

Winters said she hopes the message of the play reached every woman in the audience.

“This play focused on women of color, but this play speaks volumes to every woman, regardless of what color you are,” Winters said. “Every woman is beautiful and every woman is a queen.”

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