Long gone are the days of boring Black History Month programs giving the same facts and figures of African-Americans in the past. All are encouraged to celebrate the month with various programs around the city but consider adding some culture to other celebrated and supported memorials.
The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) provides a wide variety of theater, but for the month of February, it will be providing two plays that many believe is sure to change how people view historic Black figures such as Harriet Tubman and August Wilson.
The IRT will feature “The Power of One” Feb. 2 running through March 8 on the Upper Stage.
“The Power of One” is a company created piece that tells the story of Rosa Parks, Madame C.J. Walker, and Harriet Tubman. The three come to life in an exploration of African-American women who each made significant contributions to her community America.
Actress Milicent Wright plays all three women and is excited to bring to life strong female characters that changed the world she lived in through her actions and beliefs and helped shape how African-Americans live today.
“I like doing these women who greatly contributed or created the fabric of our history; the fabric of the world we live in. As an actor it was wonderful to be stretched; to be able to create three different people,” said Wright.
It could be said that Harriet Tubman paved the way for Madame Walker and from there inspired Rosa Parks. Although each woman represented a different time period in Black history, each held the same values of hard work, selflessness, and the value and power of education.
“The Power of One” provides for audiences a good story and a chance to realize the possibility of achieving one’s dream and sense of pride to what women can do. Wright further states audiences will realize due to the progress of many African-Americans how fortunate Blacks are, yet how much more is left to be done.
The IRT will also share the message of African-American inspiration with the celebrated play “The Piano Lesson” by playwright August Wilson. It will be presented Feb. 20-March 15 on the Main Stage.
“The Piano Lesson” is the 1989 Pulitzer Prize winning play about Berniece who will not let go of her great-grandfather’s piano. Set in the 1930s and covered with incredible carvings, the piano recounts her family’s ascent from slavery. Her brother, Boy Willie, wants to sell the piano to buy land.
Respect for their ancestors collides with desire for a new life as Berniece and Boy Willie struggle with the balance between holding on to the past and letting go for the right reasons.
The Great Depression puts the play into the economic context including the great migration of slaves from the South to the North creating new African-American communities.
According to literary experts, Wilson took inspiration for the play from a painting, creating symbolism for how African-Americans must learn to negotiate their history.
Many believe “The Power of One” and “The Piano Lesson” provide a unique experience for all celebrating Black history and one that should not be missed.
Ticket prices for “The Power of One” are $30 and $32 and tickets for “The Piano Lesson” are between $24 and $49.
For more information, call (317) 635-5252 or visit www.irtlive.com.
