February 2, 2005
Purdue continues Black History Month observance with one-man play
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's Black Cultural Center will present the one-man play "How Blak Kin Eye Bee?" at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall in observance of Black History Month.
Written and performed by jeff obafemi carr, of Nashville, Tenn., the play explores what it means to be African-American in a changing world. It features acting, interactive music, multimedia imagery and audience participation. The play is free and open to the public.
carr portrays nine different people who share one thing in common: They are all of African descent in America. Characters include the Senseneb, a mysterious, shrouded character who sets the tone for the production; the Pass-tah, a figure of both comedic and tragic value; Black Act-tore, a proud and educated professional actor; and Big Mama, the family matriarch who holds the key to wisdom of the ages.
"This play will delight and entertain people of all ages and from all walks of life," said BCC director Renee Thomas. "Audience members will go on a dramatic journey and experience the wealth of life as seen through many different people from the African-American community. The characters are so rich and complex, the audience will either identify them with someone they know or wish they could know."
At the end of the performance, carr will conduct a "talk back" discussion with the audience to explore issues the play presents.
A licensed minister, carr is founder and artistic director of AmunRa Theatre, a non-profit organization that gives actors venues in which to perform and create pieces with African-American themes. As an actor, carr has performed in multiple roles with several regional companies. He performed at the 1996 Olympic Arts Festival, and also appeared as Denzil Dowell in Mario Van Peebles' film "Panther."
As a playwright, carr wrote "The Unforgettable Visit," "Rabbit, The Pear Tree, and The Maheeheehah," "Don't Believe in Dying" and "Like It Was The Last Day." He is the publishing editor of the Nashville journal The Third Eye and author of "Black Stuff: Poetry and Essays on the Afrikan-American Experience."
Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu
Source: Renee Thomas, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: The name jeff obafemi carr is all lowercase.
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