Author to speak at theatre
By Casey Gillis on Oct. 25, 2007
In preparation for an upcoming production, the Black Theatre Ensemble of Virginia is hosting “An Evening With David Woulf” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Woulf, a former E.C. Glass student, penned the novel “As I Stood at the Gate,” which former Lynchburg resident and educator Jennifer Petticolas adapted into a play for the Black Theatre Ensemble (BTE). It is scheduled to be performed in February.
“The theme of the book has to do with color prejudice within the black community,” says Gloria Preston, president of BTE’s Board of Directors.
The novel is set in the 1960s, but Preston says she thinks its themes are relevant today.
“There are parallels between the situations he’s describing and the larger community.”
Saturday’s event, which will be at the Academy of Fine Arts’ Warehouse Theatre, will begin with an in-troduction to the book and its themes, followed by a dramatic reading of selected passages.
Then diversity trainer August Bullock, who works in the Loudon County school system, will moderate a Q&A session about prejudices in today’s society.
“I think that it creates an opportunity for dialogue,” Preston says. “It can create the kind of conversations we need to have. Because if we want to fix things, we’ve got to have these kinds of conversations. Sometimes they’re not comfortable, but they’re important.”
IF YOU’RE GOING
WHAT: An Evening with David Woulf
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Academy of Fine Arts’ Warehouse Theatre
INFO: (434) 426-0212 or (434) 239-1365
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