This event has concluded. A recording of the community conversation is available here.
In partnership with the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Clinton Church Restoration is pleased to present Rhapsody in Black, a one-man show written and performed by LeLand Gantt that explores the artist’s personal journey to understanding and confronting racism in America. The 90-minute play follows his spellbinding life story— from growing up poor in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, through teenage experimentation with crime and drugs, to scholastic achievement, and ultimately an acting career that frequently lands Gantt in situations where he is the only African American in the room. How he manages to cope with the various psychological effects of consistently being marked The Other is recounted in remarkable and moving detail.
The show will be presented virtually from Monday, March 8 through Sunday, March 14, and a post-show community conversation will be held via Zoom on Sunday, March 14 at 7 pm. The dialogue will be moderated by CCR’s Dr. Frances Jones-Sneed, who will be joined by the artist, LeLand Gantt, Howard University junior Olivia Nda, and African American Studies teacher Jamal Ahamad.
Details and registration at mahaiwe.org. Both programs are free and sponsored by a grant from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Bridging Divides, Healing Communities initiative.
