GVSU presents show of August Wilson plays

p>Playwright August Wilson, who died in 2005, wrote a series of 10 plays, each set in a different decade, depicting the African American experience in the 20th century. Many of the plays, including "Fences" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," have been performed on Broadway and on stages throughout the country, attempting to raise consciousness through theater.

Theatre at Grand Valley State University presents a one-man show including some works from the famed August Wilson Cycle Plays by Antonio T.J. Johnson, executive director of the San Diego Black Ensemble Theatre. His performance is on Friday, February 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton St., on Grand Valley's Pew Grand Rapids Campus. It is free and open to the public. For more information call (616) 331-8076.

Johnson says these plays translate very well into readings because they have lyrical language and wonderful characters. I plan to present the musicality of his language connected anecdotally to my life and the African American experience in general," said Johnson. His message of persistence is significant to anyone who has lost an opportunity through prejudice of any sort."

Johnson will be on campus a few days prior to his performance visiting theatre classes and giving a workshop stressing having fun on stage, self awareness and the importance of the process over the performance. He says his goal is to teach and share the effect Wilson's work has had on his life with "the most important audience in the world, the next generation."

Also in the audience for his Grand Valley performance will be his mother, who lives in Chicago and is unable to travel to California to see his performances there. He promises the show will bring laughter, tears, beauty, and the reality of the African American experience in America.

Media may contact Ian Borden in the theatre program at Grand Valley at (616) 331-8076, of Frank Boring in the School of Communications at (616) 331-3668.