UWG News Archive

Raisin in the Sun performance

January 28, 2005

CARROLLTON, GA - As part of the 2005 Black History Series, the Black Student Alliance (BSA) at the University of West Georgia will host a production of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. The free performance will be held Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts.

A Raisin in the Sun debuted in 1959, making it the first Broadway production written by an African-American woman. Hansberry became the youngest American playwright at age 29 and the only African-American to receive the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play of the Year.

The play tells the story of a struggling family living on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s. It paints a portrait of people whose hopes and dreams are constantly deferred and addresses issues such as racism, diversity and integration.

Critically acclaimed actor Sidney Poitier starred in the original production on Broadway and in the film version. Now, 46 years later, students at UWG will revive the story hailed by the Washington Post as “one of a handful of great American plays.”

“The play will feature some of UWG’s most talented actors,” said Shemika Harris, assistant director of Student Activities.

The cast for the drama includes Teandra Storey of Atlanta as Ruth Younger, Rodrick Johnson of Hampton as Travis Younger, Donte Jones of Ellenwood as Walter Lee Younger, Lauren Whitney Richardson of Rome as Benetha Younger, Ericka Lewis of Powder Springs as Lena Younger, Troy Thurman of Stone Mountain as Joseph Asagai, Travis English of Douglasville as George Murchison, Orlando Washington of Stone Mountain as Bobo, and Cameron Brazzell of Sandersville as Karl Linder.

Desmond Emanuel Dodson of Morrow is directing, with Casey Nicole Brown of Decatur running lights and cues. Ceaqua McKissic of Riverdale will be the stage manager.

The Black Student Alliance serves as a voice and unifying governing body for African-American students at the University of West Georgia. The purpose of the BSA is to protect and advance the Black student's interests at West Georgia, as well as provide assistance in giving Black students a positive concept of themselves and their possibilities through education and co-curricular involvement.

The BSA cultivates and promotes a general knowledge of Black culture. BSA focuses on the past, present and future of Black America while providing an opportunity for self-expression and social interaction. We make an effort to determine what specific concerns need to be addressed. These concerns are made evident through the numerous programs, services and activities sponsored throughout the year.

The BSA can be contacted by e-mailing bsa@westga.edu or calling 678-839-6528.

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