Director Taye Diggs and playwright Keenan Scott II talk about "Thoughts of a Colored Man"

Описание: ** Taye Diggs makes directorial debut **

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater and producer Brian A. Moreland have partnered on a two-week intensive workshop of playwright Keenan Scott II’s "Thoughts of a Colored Man." Directed by Taye Diggs, with choreographer Jennifer Parsinen, associate director Shannon Stoeke, and music and vocals by Madison McFerrin, the piece takes a raw and honest look at the limitations, stereotypes and obstacles that the world attempts to place on men of color through their discussions of love, race, education, family, and history.

Featuring Tony Award nominee Forrest McClendon, the workshop also includes Jerome Preston Bates, Raymond O. Caldwell, William Catanzaro, Erica Chamblee, Felicia Curry, JaBen Early, Ricardo Frederick Evans, Gary-Kayi Fletcher, Christopher Richardson and Keith Royal Smith.

This workshop provides an opportunity for "Thoughts of a Colored Man" to grow and progress, and for Scott “to be undisturbed in a comfortable environment where I can just be myself and write and create and edit and rewrite and see the piece come together as a whole.”

“Art is always a reflection of our society,” continues Scott. “Being at a place like Arena, which does work of that nature, it’s very important for us to get back to that reflection of society, and not shy away from the truth, whether it’s beautiful or ugly.”

Diggs began working with Scott on this piece two years ago, and is making his directorial debut.

“I was so moved by what Keenan had to say, and the imagery and his influences of slam poetry – I had never been a part of something with this kind of language, so it was very inspiring,” says Diggs. “That’s part of why I’m trying to let go and let this piece speak for itself.”