chicago.suntimes.com: Head for the Goodman Theatre for the April 29 finale of the “I AM…Fest” and you’ll encounter something never before seen in Chicago theater: A of cast 100 women of color, all on stage simultaneously.
The massive ensemble will perform a reading of “The Interrogation of Sandra Bland,” Mojisola Adebayo’s adaptation of the police transcript of Bland’s arrest. Bland, a former Naperville resident, was pulled over July 10, 2015, on a traffic violation; July 13, the 28-year-old was found hanged in her jail cell in Waller County, Texas.
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I love reading about new festivals that are coming up. It’s always refreshing when I hear about a festival that doesn’t revolve around just music and celebrates something else. I think this festival is a really cool, unique, and important thing to do. One of the festival coordinators described it as “activism” which is something I thought was really powerful and smart. Activism can come in so many different forms and each caters to its subject and urgency. I think a festival is a way to not only get people's attention and interest, but give a different experience. Instead of protesting, it’s communicated as a celebration but still has the same weight and meaning of a protest or any other act of activism. The amount of people that show up and perform is all a metaphor in this festival. The more that come the more unity is represented. The amount of performers on stage is evocative of reflection, “All those black women on stage will make us think about our mothers, our daughters, out sisters and ourselves. And all the women subjected to abuse that we never hear about”.
“I’m a firm believer that playwrights are preachers and politicians and prophets as well. We have a duty to serve as a moral compass”
This is something I truly do believe but I don’t think I have realized that before. I always think that theater should be a place to provoke thought, start conversation and guide people towards not necessarily the “right” thought or decision but the right way of getting there, with open communication and true consideration for all voices. I think it is amazing that in the face of an institutionalized system that would continue to lock them out, these women have taken to the stage with power. I think it is great that there is support among the community to bolster them and give them this chance. And I think it would be even greater if there is the audience too. I really hope that those attending the “I Am...Fest” extend outside the black community and outside the female community. I think it is important to open your mind to the voices you are not hearing. I think it is important to share your stories and your struggles with those who don’t already see them and to those who do.
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