Fences

by August Wilson

Nov. 7 – 24, 2008

Fences won the Pulitzer Prize in 1987. Set in the 1950’s, Fences depicts the painful relationship of Troy Maxson, a former star ballplayer in the Negro Leagues, now reduced to earning a meager living as a garbage man, and his son, a promising athlete who has been offered a college football scholarship. As Troy comes to terms with his own lost dreams, he struggles to hold onto a shred of personal dignity while battling to unite his family.

African American Trailblazers

by Derome Scott Smith

Feb. 6-15, 2009

Last year A.A.R.T. was commissioned by Richmond Region 2007 to produce a series of theatrical vignettes which highlights the historic contributions of African Americans since the first Africans arrived in Jamestown in 1619. This was part of America’s 400th anniversary commemoration. The vignettes have been retooled into an evening of theatre which highlights African American trailblazers such as Maggie Walker, Arthur Ashe, Ella Fitzgerald, John Mercer Langston, and Ella Baker.    

Steel Magnolias

by Robert Harling

April 10 – 26, 2009

Our African-American adaptation of this play is set in a beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are "anybody" come to have their hair done. The play is alternately hilarious and touching—and, in the end, reveals the depth and underlying strength of the relationships of its characters.

From The Mississippi Delta

by Endesha Ida Mae Holland

June 5-14, 2009

In this autobiographical play, a talented three-woman ensemble portrays all of the key roles. They portray black, white, male, female, old, and young in the life of a Mississippi girl as she is transformed from an impoverished young rape victim to prostitute to Pulitzer prize-nominated author and Ph.D. This play beautifully incorporates juxtaposed themes of joy and pain, destruction and progress, comedy and tragedy that are so characteristic of African-American life.   The transformation of this young woman  will encourage and inspire audiences of all backgrounds.