AFrica Lives In Me
CABRILLO COLLEGE THEATER ARTS TOURING CLASS
REVIEW JULY 3, 2014
by Peggy Pollard
Cabrillo College’s touring theater arts class, directed by Donald Leo Grube, developed an ambitious production in May, a collage of highlights and lowlights from aspects of African heritage that have contributed to the Black American social identity today.
But the most amazing aspect of the show was the transformation it went through itself -- from a nail-biting, barely formed work-in-progress run-through on Wednesday to a fine-tuned performance just 3 days later on the Black Box stage.
“From great suffering comes great heroism,” declared the show’s protagonist, a mythical sage of “heart” from Ugandan folklore. That theme glued together the disparate sketches into an panorama of the epic journey of Africans in America. Script was written by one of the performers.
From the bleak despair of urban ghetto life, the stories drew moral wisdom from Ugandan folktales from nature, explored stories of slavery and abuse, then climaxed into a cover celebration of African American music samplings both hyms, jazz and soul. Acting abilities ranged from novice to seasoned professional singers with awesome talents. A silhouette performance by Louis Armstrong, seemed as real as the great Satchmo himself.
Can anyone NOT sing along to the legendary Ray Charles? The audience Saturday night sure couldn’t hold back. Perhaps the transformation from the desperation earlier in the week made the final performance especially jubilant, with some in the audience, this author in particular, belting out “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “My Cherie Amour” right along with the silky voice of singer Barry Williams, who with a little more swagger, would have convinced me he was the real Stevie Wonder.
Shows you what creativity artists can wreak when they collaborate from opposite sides of earth, wrapping beautiful ribbons of story and music from their hearts around our globe to tie our souls together.
Grube says a video of the performance will be published online to be viewed by Kasese audiences and others.
SPRING 2014
Donald Leo Grube, Theater Arts Instructor, Cabrillo College, is offering a Touring Theatre Class in Spring of 2014. The course will be celebrating African heritage and identity the world over. Grube is in process of forming an alliance with artists from the Friends of Kasese, Uganda Community and a university in Kampala to share research and gain primary sources for authenticity. Grube is also interested in enrolling and making contact with immigrants from Africa and other people who have had direct experience through Peace Corps or other contracts with African countries. Details and syllabus for the class will be shared as they develop. Please email him for more information [email protected]
Donald Leo Grube, Theater Arts Instructor, Cabrillo College, is offering a Touring Theatre Class in Spring of 2014. The course will be celebrating African heritage and identity the world over. Grube is in process of forming an alliance with artists from the Friends of Kasese, Uganda Community and a university in Kampala to share research and gain primary sources for authenticity. Grube is also interested in enrolling and making contact with immigrants from Africa and other people who have had direct experience through Peace Corps or other contracts with African countries. Details and syllabus for the class will be shared as they develop. Please email him for more information [email protected]