Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The College of Fine Arts and School of Art at Stephen F. Austin State University will usher in February’s observance of Black History Month with three diverse performances.
The Children’s Performing Arts Series at SFA will celebrate Black History Month Thursday, Feb. 1, with performances of the Virginia Repertory Theatre’s “Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.” This stirring drama with music is a classic tribute to the great American who freed herself and hundreds of her people from the bonds of slavery. Performances are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. Tickets are $7.50 for individuals and $6 per person for groups of 20 or more. This show targets children in second through eighth grade.
On Friday, Feb. 2, the School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will present a one-night screening of “I Am Not Your Negro” at 7 p.m. in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches. Written by James Baldwin, directed by Raoul Peck, and featuring the voice of Samuel L. Jackson, “I Am Not Your Negro” is a journey into black history that connects the past of the Civil Rights movement to the present of #BlackLivesMatter. Admission is free. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.
The College of Fine Arts, in association with the Office of Multicultural Affairs at SFA, will present the L.A. Theatre Works’ production of the internationally acclaimed play “The Mountaintop,” written by Katori Hall and directed by multiple award-winner Shirley Jo Finney, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. The performance is part of the College of Fine Arts’ University Series.
“The Office of Multicultural Affairs is excited to partner with the College of Fine Arts to bring ‘The Mountaintop’ to SFA to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Veronica Beavers, OMA director. “It is important for students to understand the impact of Dr. King’s legacy that still affects our lives today.”
The Multicultural Ensemble within the SFA School of Theatre is an organization dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in theater, and its president, Houston senior Terrance Simon, is equally excited about seeing “The Mountaintop.”
“I am ecstatic about L.A. Theatre Works' production of ‘The Mountaintop’ by Katori Hall coming to SFA's University Series,” Simon said. “It is awe inspiring to see yourself represented, and it is happening here in SFA's largest performing arts venue. As a child who went to school, went to church and lived off of Martin Luther King Blvd., I am excited to see this giant brought to human form on a stage right before my eyes.”
Prior to the performance, Cleo House Jr., director of the School of Theatre, will present an informative talk at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery. The gallery is located across the hall from Turner Auditorium, which is inside the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive.
Single event ticket prices for the University Series are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for non-SFA students/youth. Tickets for SFA students are $3. “The Mountaintop” contains mature language and controversial themes.
For more information, visit finearts.sfasu.edu, stop by the Fine Arts Box Office in Room 211 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.