Arts Ensemble Showcase previews performances about Gullah culture
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The Black Voices of Inspiration, Haraka Writers, Jahari Dance Troupe and New Directional Players will use their experiences to perform an original work-in-progress show at 7 p.m. Oct. 27-28 at the Black Cultural Center Coffee House, 1100 Third St. The performances are free and open to the public.
"During the research tour to South Carolina, the students attended theater master classes, traditional African dance classes and creative writing workshops," said Renee Thomas, director of the Black Cultural Center. "Along with the various cultural experiences they took part in on the trip, these workshops contributed a great deal to the students' understanding of the Gullah culture, as well as their own."
William P. Caise, the center's assistant director, said the research tour brought to light the connection between American and African cultures that the artists and students did not realize beforehand.
"It has been exciting exploring the Gullah culture. The connections that we had thought were long gone were merely sitting dormant waiting to be recalled," said Bill Caise, assistant director of the Black Cultural Center. "Hearing stories, singing songs and talking with folk reminded us of the deep history and culture that Africans have shared with America. The work seen during the Coffee House performances will reflect those tour experiences."
The showcase is a preview of the Cultural Arts Festival that will take place Dec. 1 at Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. The center's four artists-in-residence, Twana Harris, McKenya Dilworth, Kevin Iega Jeff and Kahari Bowden, lead the arts ensembles.
The Black Voices of Inspiration singing group will perform traditional spirituals from the Gullah culture as well as children's "play songs." The New Directional Players will dramatize scenes from Zora Neale Hurston's plays "Woofing" and "Color Struck," in addition to traditional Gullah folktales. The Jahari Dance Troupe will perform a dance based on their experiences with the Gullah culture in addition to dances set to Tina Turner and Mahalia Jackson's music, and the Haraka Writers will present work based on a theme of cultural loss and a desire to search for completeness, from the point of view of the Gullah culture.
"I think it is exciting that we have more than 40 people from the various ensembles who went on the tour and are willing to share their experiences with the Purdue community," Caise said. "Each is wrestling with how to express their personal experiences through this showcase and the upcoming festival."
Established in 1969, Purdue's Black Cultural Center exists to enhance cultural programming and broaden the community's understanding of the black experience. Annually, the center sponsors lectures, performances and events with the goal of improving campus diversity and supporting students' knowledge about their culture and heritage.
Writer: Bethany Bannister-Andrews, (765) 494-2073, bbannister@purdue.edu
Sources: Renee Thomas, (765) 494-3092, rathomas@purdue.edu
William P. Caise, (765) 494-4630, wpcaise@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Related News Release:
Arts Ensemble students discover Gullah culture with travel, research
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