WEST WINDSOR-- Local playwright kicks off Black History Month with a showing of 1960: Black at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theater last week.Rashad Walker, a Trenton resident, wrote, directed, and acted in this original stage play that chronicles each year of the Civil Rights Movement that occurred in the 1960's.
In the play, Walker explores non-violent demonstrations, interracial marriage, the death of civil rights leaders, black militancy, desegregation, and other issues.
This was not the first showing of the play. It was originally performed at Walker's alma mater, Rider University in 2010, with an all-student cast. This time around, Walker brought back many of the actors from the original play, but at the same time he has brought on some new faces as well.
This showing brought out a good number of people on a Saturday afternoon. Through interviews, everyone said they enjoyed the play for both educational and entertainment purposes. Audience member, Latonda McCleese, said her son was in the play and that she enjoyed it. She went on to say that despite there being some serious parts in the play, they were still able to lighten the mood. Another audience member Greg Wallace said that he gives the play a 10 and said Walker takes the audience on a journey through the Civil Rights Movement while at the same time keeps them engaged and entertained.
In the past, the Trenton born playwright has said in an interview that he was motivated to write and direct this stage play because "he wanted to educate people". Walker went on to say that at the end of the day, he wanted people to understand the significance of some sacrifices and contributions that individuals made during the Civil Rights Movement.
The play's actors include Reggie Walker, TJ Converly, Caitlin Fair, Rance Robeson, Allen Sexton, Sherlita McCan, Kareem Moseley, Darraine Gibson, Jarrett Minor, and Destyne Pitts.
The play will be featured again February 19th and February 21st at Caldwell College at 7:30 pm.
For videos of the play and interviews with the cast and audience members, click below:
