An Octoroon Panel on Race and Representation
February 9, 2016
Boston is abuzz with the Company One (C1) and Arts Emerson presentation of An Octoroon, the “hottest play from 1859” which has returned to the stage, coming off a sold-out NYC run. Since the play first came out over 150 years ago slavery in the US was abolished, yet audiences today can clearly see how many racial injustice and equity issues remain the same.
C1 is committed to making the connection between theater and civic life. Last week they invited educators to a panel discussion: Theater and Education on the Front Lines of Boston Communities. The event featured five brilliant panelists for a discussion on race and representation, including Ceasar McDowell (President, IIISC), Summer L. Williams (Director, An Octoroon), Tracy Strain (Director, The Lorraine Hansberry Documentary Project), Kendra Taira Field (Professor, History and Africana Studies at Tufts University), James Milord (Theater Teaching Artist, Company One).
The event was recorded:
Moderated by C1 Education Director Mark VanDerzee and Apprentice Erique Green, the panel explored how theater can impact social change.
Great panel of experts @company_one breaking down race, education & activism#realtalkwithC1@HowlRound@ArtsEmersonpic.twitter.com/7WbLgKaCCl
— Shawn LaCount (@ShawnLaCountC1) February 3, 2016
Will you create a micro-inclusion today? #RealTalkWithC1 @company_one https://t.co/MNVYGAfv4m
— IISC (@IISCBlog) February 3, 2016
The creative world & artists have a lot to offer in disrupting institutional racism and privilege- Caesar McDowell #realtalkwithc1 @IISCBlog
— Emily Bozentka (@emilakaloo) February 3, 2016
Tracy Strain calls it like it is – Artists need financial support for their work in order to amplify black stories #RealTalkWithC1 #BosArts
— Company One Theatre (@company_one) February 3, 2016
“All art is social” Lorraine Hansberry said in 1959. Still fighting for social justice with theater & the arts in 2016. #RealTalkwithC1
— Randy MacLowry (@rmaclowry) February 3, 2016
