Southeastern Theatre to present “Dark Skin Pavement”
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University Theatre Department is presenting
“Dark Skin Pavement,” a Black Lives Matter themed play by T.J. Young. As a result
of Young winning the department’s Inkslinger Playwriting contest, his play is getting
a full production from April 27 – 30 at 7:30 p.m. each night in Vonnie Borden Theatre.
“T.J. Young is an emerging black playwright originally from Houston that currently
lives in Philadelphia,” said Anne-Liese Fox, the play’s director. “This production
offers the opportunity for our theatre students to be involved with new play development,
and the playwriting contest offers a wonderful opportunity to emerging playwrights.”
Southeastern students are responsible for set, lighting and costume design and
are also featured in the cast.
The play is centered around Harpo, who has been putting food on the table by
watching other people’s children, due to B.J. and his limited ability to work due
to an accident, Fox explained.
“After an incident at Harpo’s in-home day care threatens her business, B.J.’s
cousin, Shay, introduces them to Dwaylan, a man that can keep Harpo in business,”
Fox said. “What Dwaylan wants in return might be more than Harpo is willing to give,
as the memory of the one child she couldn’t protect comes crashing back into their
lives.”
Members of the cast include Taylor Bennett of Slidell as Harpo, DeJuan James
of Hammond as B.J., Isreal Lyons of Hattiesburg, Miss., as Dwaylin, Janai Stevenson
of Nashville as Shay, and Isaiah Smith of Kenner as Martell.
The production crew includes Alexandra Owens of Phenix City, Ala., as assistant
director, Matthew George of Jefferson and Theresa Brown of Slidell as stage managers,
Jada Jackson of Slidell as dramaturg, Leah Peevy of Loranger as costume designer,
Emery Foster of Hammond as scenic designer, and Adrian Cote of Hammond as lighting
designer.
LIONS ForTheCulture are hosting talkbacks after each production, which has a
running time of 65 minutes.
Tickets for “Dark Skin Pavement” are $20 general admission, $15 for faculty,
seniors and military personnel, and are available by emailing theatreboxoffice@southeastern.edu. Tickets are
free for Southeastern students and are available by email at the same address.
