2008 Woodie Awards
Black history performance Saturday
By: Mary Klenk
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: News
Charlis Cunningham wants students to realize Black history is not just about slavery, discrimination and the Civil Rights movement
Through the play "Keeping the Dream," Cunningham, a CMU alumna who co-wrote the production, hopes people will see that they are the history of all Americans.
Central Michigan University's Delta Sigma Theta sorority is hosting the performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium.
"The play presents a feeling of this is who we are as Americans, not just African-Americans, because this is American culture," said Kamillah Dawkins, Delta Sigma Theta vice president and Saginaw senior.
The event is free, featuring a full cast of CMU student performers.
The play features a series of scenes and monologues representing black history from slavery to present day. It focuses on the dream of creating a peaceful nation and uniting America, not just black Americans, Cunningham said.
Cunningham hopes to inform the audience of the struggles black people went through in order to create a more privileged life for their ancestors.
However, it is not just about struggles. Other scenes celebrate black culture, like dancing, gospel music and Motown.
Cunningham began writing "Keeping the Dream" in fall 2006. She was inspired by history, as well as current events and her personal experiences.
Although the framework of the play is black history, Cunningham said the message is universal.
The last performance piece in the production is titled "My Struggle," a scene about being a college student. The common theme is progression and it applies to everyone, she added.
"We're really excited to display our talent to the public," said Detroit sophomore Carly Wilson, who will be portraying multiple characters in the production, including abolitionist Sojourner Truth.
"Keeping the Dream" was first performed in spring 2007. Although many of the cast members are reprising their roles, people who saw the original production will have a unique experience this year.
Cunningham said the event did not take place during Black History Month because its values can be heard anytime.
"Black history is history," Cunningham said. "It's not just one month, it is year-round."
news@cm-life.com
Through the play "Keeping the Dream," Cunningham, a CMU alumna who co-wrote the production, hopes people will see that they are the history of all Americans.
Central Michigan University's Delta Sigma Theta sorority is hosting the performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium.
"The play presents a feeling of this is who we are as Americans, not just African-Americans, because this is American culture," said Kamillah Dawkins, Delta Sigma Theta vice president and Saginaw senior.
The event is free, featuring a full cast of CMU student performers.
The play features a series of scenes and monologues representing black history from slavery to present day. It focuses on the dream of creating a peaceful nation and uniting America, not just black Americans, Cunningham said.
Cunningham hopes to inform the audience of the struggles black people went through in order to create a more privileged life for their ancestors.
However, it is not just about struggles. Other scenes celebrate black culture, like dancing, gospel music and Motown.
Cunningham began writing "Keeping the Dream" in fall 2006. She was inspired by history, as well as current events and her personal experiences.
Although the framework of the play is black history, Cunningham said the message is universal.
The last performance piece in the production is titled "My Struggle," a scene about being a college student. The common theme is progression and it applies to everyone, she added.
"We're really excited to display our talent to the public," said Detroit sophomore Carly Wilson, who will be portraying multiple characters in the production, including abolitionist Sojourner Truth.
"Keeping the Dream" was first performed in spring 2007. Although many of the cast members are reprising their roles, people who saw the original production will have a unique experience this year.
Cunningham said the event did not take place during Black History Month because its values can be heard anytime.
"Black history is history," Cunningham said. "It's not just one month, it is year-round."
news@cm-life.com
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