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In preparation for Hands Up: 6 Playwrights, 6 Testaments, which is being presented by ArtsCenter Stage and Common Ground Theatre with the support of MOJOAA Perfoming Arts Company and in conjunction with the Ladies of the Triangle Theatre (LoTT), I had a chance to speak with our wonderful, talented, and hardworking cast members. Malcolm Evans, Kenny Lampkin, Jordan Marshall, Justin Peoples, CJ Suitt and Marcus Zollicoffer, each share what connects them to their monologue and why it was so important to take part in this play. I'm honored to share their responses with you along with a handful of gorgeous photos from last night's final dress rehearsal. Please enjoy! Interview with Malcolm Evans Jacqueline Lawton: Why was it important for you to take part in this production? Malcolm Evans: I knew the director Monet and it seemed like a play with a strong message worth getting behind. JL: Which monologue are you reading? What, if anything, do you have in common with him? ML: I am reading “Holes In My Identity”. I relate to my characters lack of cultural identity. Before I went to an HBCU. I lived in Hawaii where I was the only black kid in my graduating class. So being the sore thumb was something I am greatly familiar with. JL: What do you hope audiences walk away thinking about after experiencing these monologues? ML: I hope the audience can look past there own personal experiences and see something real. Interview with Kenny Lampkin Jacqueline Lawton: Why was it important for you to take part in this production? Kenneth Lampkin: I feel like it was my duty to do this production. There's alot that comes with opening up and speaking the truth about topics like these, that alot of my peers ignore, don't care or runaway from. I'm taking a stand and doing this monologue to hopefully impact a someone and change the perspective of a black man. JL: Which monologue are you reading? What, if anything, do you have in common with him? KL: I have alot to do with the monologue I'm reading. I've been stop and harass by the police several times so it was kinda easy putting myself in his shoes. JL: What do you hope audiences walk away thinking about after experiencing these monologues? KL: I hope the audince realize that rasicm and discrimination isn't dead.. and the only way we can move forward is if we come together as a human race. Not a white Vs black Vs yellow Vs purple thing but as humans all focus on one goal and that is peace.. Interview with Jordan Marshall Jacqueline Lawton: Why was it important for you to take part in this production? JM: It is important for me to take part in this performance because I feel that I can bring raw emotion to the piece. I strongly think, rather i know that i can step into the shoes of the man in my piece and become him and convey his feelings to the crowd. JL: Which monologue are you reading? What, if anything, do you have in common with him? JM: I am reading the piece "abortion," I feel that I can relate to the main character in this piece because at times I also have the same feelings of "I dont want a child of my blood to be raised in this world. This world of hate and negativity." JL: What do you hope audiences walk away thinking about after experiencing these monologues? JM: I hope that everyone who sees this piece will walk away with the perspective of my character. I wish only that they not only hear my piece but that they understand my piece. Interview with Justin Peoples Jacqueline Lawton: Why was it important for you to take part in this production? Justin Peoples: Its important because as an African American Artist our voices must be heard and shared with the world. JL: Which monologue are you reading? What, if anything, do you have in common with him? JP: My piece is titled "Hands Ups" And a lot of the dialogue in this piece i can relate to because it is me. I have often wanted to say these same things aloud and now i have the opportunity. JL: What do you hope audiences walk away thinking about after experiencing these monologues? JP: That this is very real and has been going on for centuries, so we're frustrated and angry. So listen and take heed because our voices are strong and have to be heard. Interview with CJ Suitt Jacqueline Lawton: Why was it important for you to take part in this production? CJ Suitt: It is important for me to be a part of this production because as a black man in this country I will have a black son and it is important that the world see him. JL: Which monologue are you reading? What, if anything, do you have in common with him? CJ: I'm reading "They Shootin' or I ain't neva scared: A reverberation in 3 parts." I connect with this piece because as a Black man I know what its like to feel the gravity and juxtaposition between how you are seen and how you see yourself. JL: What do you hope audiences walk away thinking about after experiencing these monologues? CJ: I hope viewers will walk away with a deeper understanding of the context that we are living in. A world that is both personal and political. Interview with Marcus Zollicoffer Photo by Jeremy Lange. Jacqueline Lawton: Why was it important for you to take part in this production? Marcus Zollicoffer: This play is a collection of African American voices about issues in our country and those voices deserve to be heard. I want to help those voice be heard. JL: Which monologue are you reading? What, if anything, do you have in common with him? MZ: I am reading "Walking with Micheal Brown" I believe I can fix the Black Man vs. Police problem, I could be right or I could be completely wrong. JL: What do you hope audiences walk away thinking about after experiencing these monologues? MZ: Those guys made me think about some things, and I want to start a dialogue with others about it. Final Dress Rehearsal |
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I'm a playwright, dramaturg, and teaching artist. It is here where you'll find my queries and musings on life, theater and the world. My posts advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equity in the American Theatre and updates on my own work. Please enjoy!
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