Shining the Spotlight on Black Theater
“Reach Out I’ll Be There” echoes throughout the room as lead character Chelle dances across the stage. She sings the famous Motown song in remembrance of her close friend Sly, who has just been killed by police during the Detroit riots of 1967. The lights…
Gertrude’s Blues
The “mother of the blues” stands on stage in what looks like a music studio. A trombone, bass, trumpet and piano reverberate throughout the theater as anguish flows from Ma Rainey’s voice in the form of a blues song. Love and lust, white managers’ exploitation…
Black Feminism Takes Center Stage
Since she was 14 years old, Ryan Pearson has had a play in the back of her mind and hoped that one day she would get to direct it. Her high school drama teacher gave Pearson a monologue from a feminist choreopoem titled “For Colored…
Prepare for Takeoff
The crowd’s murmurs lulled as the sounds of planes slowly filled the Stevenson Event Center on Thursday night. After five weeks of preparation, the African American Theater Arts Troupe (AATAT) premiered “Black Eagles” to a crowd of about 150 people on opening night. As the…
AATAT Prepares for Take Off
Arts and Entertainment reporter Gabrielle Garcia acts as Pia in the African American Theater Arts Troupe‘s (AATAT) production of “Black Eagles,” a play about black World War II. Read about her experiences rehearsing and working alongside other members of AATAT. SHOW em>February 19, 20, 21,…
AATAT Prepares for Take Off
Arts and Entertainment reporter Gabrielle Garcia acts as Pia in the African American Theater Arts Troupe‘s (AATAT) production of “Black Eagles,” a play about black World War II. Read about her experiences rehearsing and working alongside other members of AATAT. SHOWS February 19, 20, 21,…
AATAT Season Premieres
In an intricate scene, one of the three Lorraine Hansberrys sits at her typewriter while the cast, including the two other Lorraine Hansberrys, stand behind her and act out her cluttered mind during writer’s block. To say this production is complex is an understatement. “This…
Behind the Door of Stevenson 199
The Cultural Arts and Diversity Resource Center produces quality theater performances for the UC Santa Cruz and greater Santa Cruz Communities. The CADRC is an important vehicle for retention and inclusion, specifically for students of color on campus.
Rainbow Theater Celebrates 20 Years of Culturally Diverse Performances
After two decades of thematic, multicultural productions, Rainbow Theater will celebrate its highly anticipated 20th anniversary. Student organizers and performers have eagerly prepared to make this year worthwhile.