Exploring Race and Privilege in America
Facing Our Truth
A Collection of One-Acts Inspired by the Trayvon Martin Case
Great Barrington, MA - Bard College at Simon's Rock, Multicultural BRIDGE, and Kickwheel
Ensemble Theatre present Facing Our Truth, a collection of one-act plays inspired by the Trayvon Martin case. The performance
will take place on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. in the Daniel Arts Center,
followed by a moderated panel and community discussion. This event is free and open
to the public.
In 2013, The New Black Fest in New York City commissioned six very diverse playwrights
to write 10-minute plays on the topic of Trayvon Martin, race and/or privilege. The
resulting collection by Winter Miller, Marcus Gardley, Dominique Morrisseau, Mona
Mansour and Tala Manassah, Dan O’Brien with Quetzal Flores, and A. Rey Pamatmat, reflecting
on race relations in the United States continues to be presented around the country.
"Facing Our Truth's purpose is to spark serious discussion in our collective communities around these urgent issues," says Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant, director of Equity and Inclusion at Bard College at Simon’s Rock. Following the staged reading, Hampton VanSant, a Simon's Rock alumna, will moderate the discussion. Panelists include director, actors, and members of the Council for Equity and Inclusion at Simon's Rock.
Directing the one-acts plays are: Sara Katzoff, founding member of Kickwheel Ensemble and Simon's Rock alumna; Emma Dweck, Jim Frangione, Chris Tucci, and Amy Brentano. An exciting mix of Simon's Rock students, faculty, alumni, and staff perform the one-act plays.
The Facing Our Truth production team is committed to serving our community by presenting a vital theatrical response to the national conversation on race-based hate crimes, with the goal of addressing our specific, immediate need for an effective response to our County's challenges around race, bias, and privilege. In light of recent racialized events in our area, the Council for Equity and Inclusion at Simon's Rock invites educators and students from our neighboring institutions to the production.