September 27, 2005
Purdue's Black Cultural Center groups to tour Hollywood
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Thirty-nine students representing four performing arts groups at Purdue's Black Cultural Center will stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame and get an insider's view of the behind-the-scenes production of motion pictures during a research tour to California Oct. 6-11.
"We try to schedule these tours every year to give students a more complete understanding of African-American heritage," said BCC director Renee Thomas. "It's an opportunity for our students to combine an experiential learning experience with their academic education and have a more realistic view of the world by the time they leave Purdue."
The tour is in keeping with the BCC's theme for the semester "Fade to Black: African-American Images in Film and Media." Students will take part in a master class in drama at the Stella Adler Academy and in dancing at the renowned Lula Washington Dance Theatre. The Towne Street Theatre, an African American theatre company, will offer classes on acting and creative writing. The West Angeles Church of God In Christ will offer a gospel music master choral class.
In addition, they will visit Grauman's Chinese Theatre and Venice Beach, the California African American Museum and historic Liemert Park, one of the largest black middle-class neighborhoods in the United States.
On the last full day, students will get a chance to meet with a panel of Hollywood professionals, including actor/director Bill Duke, executive producer Sara Finney-Johnson, Fox Broadcasting Co. director of diversity Ron Taylor and producer Frank Dawson.
Following the tour, the students will dramatize what they learn about African-American images in film and media at the BCC Cultural Arts Festival. The showcase will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. Contact (765) 494-3092 for ticket information.
The BCC's four performing arts ensembles are the Black Voices of Inspiration, a choir that specializes in gospel music, spirituals and contemporary songs by African-American composers; Haraka Writers, a group of student poets, essayists and short-story writers; Jahari Dance Troupe, which performs a repertoire including African, ballet, folk, jazz, tap and modern dance; and the New Directional Players, a theater group with a focus on presenting drama about the African-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
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