Joe Turner’s Coming to Stevenson

BY Andrea Gemmet

UCSC’s African American Theater Arts Troupe explores a slice of urban black American life at the turn of the century with their rendition of Joe turner’s Come and Gone. Described as a creative showcase of history, the play will run at UCSC next month.

Written by August Wilson, the play is set in 1911 Pittsburgh, a scene of great social upheaval. African Americans from the rural South migrated North to take advantage of better paying factory jobs.

The characters, according to director Don Williams, come from very different backgrounds, but have one thing in common. "They’re trying to get a life, if you will," he said. "They want a piece of America’s pie." The play explores the interactions of the characters living in a black boarding house.

The role of religion is very important in the lives of all the characters, and it serves to bring them closer together, said William’s. The character who brings them closer together is Bynam Walker, a witch doctor whom Williams calls "the bridge of all bridges/"

Joshua Bee Graham, who plays Bynam, said his character is a conjurer who literally binds other characters together. "The second part of the metaphor is that he serves as a bridge between North America and Africa, because he practices traditional ways of healing," said Graham, a third year Kresge Student.

James Porter, a 49-yeer old electrical technician, plays the part of Harold Loomis, a central character in the Play. Porter said the character Loomis is "a possessed person." Loomis spends of the play searching for the wife he lost when was illegally kidnapped into slavery.

"He’s spent all these years waiting to start his life," Porter said. As the play continues, Bynam helps Loomis with his search. "He [Bynam] sees me [Loomis] through things, he can almost read my thoughts," Porter said.

As the play reveals people from different backgrounds coming together, Williams said the theater group’s mission is also to create unity, and heighten visibility and understanding of the African American community.

As Part of this effort, Cabrillo College reduced the facilities cost for the troupe so they can appear there for the first time, "We are really happy to have the group perform here," said Wilma Marcus Chandler, the troupe’s faculty sponsors at Cabrillo.

"Our function as a community college is to draw attention to things that wouldn’t ordinarily be seen," she said. "We’re always willing to umbrella a worthy group."

Proceeds from the African American Theater Arts Troupe’s performances go towards three $1,000 scholarships which are given out annually. One goes to an African-American student involved in theater arts and the other two go to students in good academic standing who have demonstrated financial need.

Williams said the troupe also works to heighten the awareness of the African-American community within UCSC. This partially the reason that all the troupe’s rehearsals are held at the Stevenson College which has a low ratio of African American students, "rather than Oakes or something," said Williams, who is also preceptor at Stevenson.

"Stevenson is making great strides toward appreciating diversified environment," Williams said. "The student council helps us financially, and the overwhelming turnout of Stevenson residents that support our performances gives me great joy."

Joe Turner’s Come and Gone will be performed February 10, 11 and 12 at the Stevenson Dining Hall, Feb. 18 and 19 at the Louden Nelson Community Center, and February 25 and 26 at Cabrillo College. All performances start at 8p.m. Tickets cost $5 for general admission and $3 for students with ID and children under 12 years of age. All tickets must be bought at the door.