Production by Afrikan group deals with social issues
By SARAH NESTOR
News Writer
A troupe of actors performed a series of monologues at Saint Mary's Monday highlighting the black experience of women and childbirth, men, family relationships and race relations.
The Ma'at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theatre pulled the monologues from "The Alibi Transcripts" a book of original productions that the group has put on during the last 10 years.
"It comes from the mouths of people who come from the world that we all live in," Reginald Lawrence, executive director, said.
MPAACT was formed in 1990 by a group of students from the University of Illinois -Urbana/Champaign, who bonded together to share their knowledge of African and African-American culture.
The first four excerpts came from "Women, God and Baby Making." The four monologues dealt with the pain of childbirth, finding comfort in God during pregnancy, the dehumanizing aspects of modern medicine and a view of God as a pimp who offers gifts and then takes them away.
One of the monologues from a man's point of view dealt with his experiences as a slave in Kentucky while two others detailed experiences with war.
The monologues about family explained several different issues.
One woman told about her feelings after her husband left her and their daughter.
"I never thought I was a stupid woman. How does a stupid woman keep from raising a daughter as stupid as herself," Sharlet Webb said.
Then the monologue told of a son whose mother has died and must now deal with his father and the realization of his own sexuality as a homosexual.
The final section of the performance discussed the relationships between whites and blacks.
The first excerpt was from a male slave's perspective and how he learned to deal with white men.
"I learned early to tickle a white man. You're supposed to keep him laughing, all the while you'll be laughing at him," Terry Cullers said.
Another excerpt dealt with a woman who grew up telling her father about all the white girls from school who she thought of as her friends. He told her that they weren't her friends.
Today she has lost all contact with her supposed friends.
Another excerpt dealt with a man who found himself crossing the street when he saw white people ahead of him and doing other little deeds to preserve the conscious of white people. As a large black man following behind whites and intimidating them, he became concerned with their psychology so he would cross the street to give them comfort.
Fusing a mix of writers, actors, directors and musicians into a theater is how MPAACT performs its unique blend. Performing pieces that tackle the issues of race, gender, economic standing and religion the company offers an examination of society.
Contact Sarah Nestor at nest9877@saintmarys.edu
All News Stories for Tuesday, February 19, 2002
