10/16/09
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10/16/09 |
Lincoln, Ill. – Lincoln College’s Fine Arts program will stage four performances of the gripping stage play, “The Face of Emmett Till” from Thursday, Oct. 22 - Sunday, Oct. 25. The performances are open to the public, but tickets are required. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors. They may be purchased by phoning 217.732.3155.280. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door. Due to the limited number of performances, advance purchase is recommended.
“The Face of Emmett Till” is the gripping account of the death of 14 year - old Emmett Till and his mother’s heroic crusade for justice. Till, was a Chicago teenager who, while visiting relatives in Miss., in August 1955, was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by two white men. The men claimed they wanted to teach him a lesson for "allegedly" whistling at a local, white woman. The play chronicles both the tragedy, and its aftermath, including its role as the impetus for the Civil Rights Movement. The play which debuted as Chicago’s Pegasus Players Theatre, was written by playwright David Barr III and Mamie Till-Mobley.
Emmett Till’s mother, Mamie, shared the horror and brutality of the crime with the world, when she invited the media to attend her son’s open casket funeral. Shocking pictures of his mutilated body were first published by African-American press and later republished by media outlets around the world. The ramifications of the crime and subsequent trial are considered one of the darkest periods in the civil right movement as African Americans struggled for equality.
Chris Gray, assistant professor and chair of the Fine Arts program said, “This is such a riveting story. We are thrilled to be able to bring it to the stage. Sometimes history is ugly, but we must still examine it. The play captures the chilling details of the crime, but it’s also a story of resolve and of hope. Those are lessons that apply to us today” He went on to add, “The actors are able to capture those emotions and connect with the audience. I’m so excited for local audiences to see it.”
Gray directs the play and adjunct professor Kevin Anderson serves as set and costume designer. Kenneth James of Decatur, Ill gives a haunting performance as young Emmett Till and Morgan Walton-McNeal from Thornwood, Ill. portrays his mother, Mamie. Lincoln residents rounding out the cast include Karolyn White as Chatham, Mikel Frost as Senator James Eastland, Alex Williams as Rayner, and Cody Follis as JW Milam. Zach Williams, of Danvers plays Morris Dees and McKenzie Ward of Springfield portrays Willie Reed.
Other performers include: Keanon O’Neal, Katie Richter, Tim Bell, Benisha Dorris, Tinesheia Howard, Charles Garmon, Joy Lowery, Josh Dobkins, Cassie Ellwing, Tresa McBeath, Sean Daly, Alesha Smith, Craig Noort, Liz Jewgieniew, Edmond Walker, Alia Lockhart, Jessica Hunt, Elisha Simon, Courtney Jones, Euzhan Sims, and John Anderson.
More information on the performance:
“The Face of Emmett Till” contains strong language, themes, and depicts on-stage violence. It is not recommended for young children.
Show time is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 25. Ticket prices are $7 for adults, $5 for children and senior citizens.
More info on the Fine Arts program:
Lincoln College provides abundant opportunities for students to participate in plays, musical ensembles, dance performances, art shows and literary activities.
Participation in fine arts activities and events includes the entire student body, not just those majoring in Fine Arts. For more information on the LC Fine Arts program or to reserve tickets, phone 217.732.3155.280 or visit the Web site at www.lincolncollege.edu/fine_arts/index.htm
Lincoln College was founded in 1865 as Lincoln University, the only institution of higher education named for Abraham Lincoln during his lifetime. It is a selective, two-year, private, liberal arts college located in Lincoln, Illinois. Lincoln College is designed to prepare a student for university study through a structured, supportive approach to learning. Approximately 89% of Lincoln College graduates transfer immediately to a four-year school where they succeed as well as or better than the native student. Student-teacher ratio at Lincoln College is 13:1 and the average class size is 16 students.