Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

BY Samantha Vincent

He began to pray, as the members of his cast and others joined together in a circle around him. The strength of his voice rattled the room, yet the rhythm of the sound was positive enough to lift the sports of anyone in his presence. He directed the energy of the room towards the accomplishment of goals geared towards the production of a certain play. Whether the goal was acting, stage managing, designing costumes and props, or writing an article, he perceived it as part of the larger goal. The inspirational preachers was Don Williams, the creator of the African American Theater Arts Troupe (AATAT), and the play he prayed upon was Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.

Set inside a boarding house in the industrialized North during the year 1911. August Wilson writes of the experience of various African American families at that time. It was described by one of the cast members as very realistic portrayal of African American families dealing with influences on the family structure. For example: many of the families had been separated by post slavery slavers such as the infamous Joe Turner and were forced to reestablish their connections to families as well as to the church. The importance Williams places on the pre-hearsal players are significant if not necessary for the production of Turner’s Come and Gone. It is a play filled with religious symbolism and a spiritual tone.

"Joe Turner uproots Martha Pentecost’s husband and she finds herself waiting five years, five long years, for her husbands return," said Jennifer Vylasek of the character she portals in the play. "He doesn’t come back, so she goes out looking for him, leaving her baby behind. In doing that she finds the church, that’s where her strength comes from".

The character Vylasek portrays is of a very strong black woman, which is a role Vylasek feels has enhanced her own character. Like many of the other students in the cast Vylasek has never performed before, but has dedicated her free time and energy into producing this shown because she is getting back almost as much as she puts in. The African American Theater Arts Troupe, not only performs a service to the community in the form of their performance, but it also creates a strong community of African Americans on campus who work together to achieve a common goal. This was just one part of Director Don William’s vision, when creating the troupe.

"It cam to me that I saw a lot of students that were leaving the school, the University. There were tow major reasons why they were leaving," said Williams. "One, for financial reasons and two their wasn’t anything to maintain here, there was no real black experience that would cultivate them and make them feel a part of [the campus community]. We call this in today’s terms, retention."

The African American Theater Arts Troupe was created in May ’92, with their first production of Ceremonies of Dark Old Men. This production raised $1,500 in scholarship money, which the Troupe used to establish the African American Scholarship Fund. These scholarships were awarded to several students who displayed need and outstanding excellence in any field.

"The Troupes mission is to create unity, higher visibility of the African American community," said Williams. "And raise money, as the most important goal for the African American Scholarship Fund."

The African American community Williams describes, does not stop at the base of campus, it spills out into the Santa Cruz community. James Porter is a twenty four year resident of Santa Cruz county and has joined the student cast to play the part of Harold Loomis, the lost husband of Martha Pentecost.

Porter, who was a UCSC student at one time, said his participation in the play reconnects him wit the campus community. The play will also be performed downtown at the Louden Nelson Center and Cabrillo College, giving the project even more exposure to the local Santa Cruz scene

This quarters cast consists of many old favorites and quite a few first time performers. Christy Humphry and Sharicce Rily are both new to the stage playing the character of Zonia Loomis. Tsadae Neway will catch the audience’s attention as Mattie Campbell. Dejuan Williams, although he will be performing with the Troupe for the first time, will look more than a little familiar to everyone. A few of the Troupe’s previous stars will shine again during this show. Lauren Smith, Edward Dorsey and Fitima Morris the cast from last springs rendition of Amen Corner appear again. The Streamers cast is back, Blake Riggs and the Santa Cruz celebrity Joshua Graham. And of course, the real old timer and president of the Troupe Eric Jackson will shine again.

Porter said although the play is filled with spiritual symbolism which the audience would benefit from understanding, most importantly he was the audience "to be entertained, [because] that is as important as anything. If you come here and are not entertained, then everything else will lose its impact."

Joe turner’s Come and Gone will be performed on February 10, 11, and 12 at 8pm, at Stevenson Dining Hall. On February 18 and 19 at 8pm, at Louden Nelson Center. And a repeat performance on February 25 and 26 at 8pm, at Cabrillo College. General Admission is $5, for students with Identification and children under twelve admission is $3. Sponsors for the vent include the UCSC Theater Arts Board, African American Student Life, the City of Santa Cruz, Stevenson Student Council Cabrillo College, Kresge Provost, Crown Provost, the Vice Chancellor Bruce Moore the Council on Ethnic Programming and SAA/EOP. Fore more information contact Don Williams at 450-3409.