From Nov. 11 to 16, Theatre and Performance Studies students performed “Jitney,” a play written by August Wilson, about a run-down cab station in Pittsburgh during the late ’70s.
The director, Jacqueline Springfield, states in the director’s note, “Throughout the rehearsal process, we stayed in constant conversation about how these characters face down everything from racial oppression to strained family relationships–using love, joy and humor as weapons to navigate the difficulties they face. It is what we have always done.”
The stage design alone is enough to make this play stand out from other college performances. The details show that Scenic Designer Harlan D. Penn is clearly extremely meticulous on how things are placed onstage and how they move the plot.
The performances are another triumph in and of themselves. There were some amazing performances by many of Kennesaw State’s Black Theatre and Performance Studies majors. Bold character choices and great comedic timing – even with the heavy subjects – carried viewers through the story.
While everyone was extremely talented, there were a few standout performances to touch on. One was curated by Devin Dent, playing the character of YoungBlood. YoungBlood’s whole premise is a person just trying to make ends meet, a person just trying to provide for his girl and his kid. Even when he goes about it wrong, viewers can not help but sympathize. Dent did a great job at making sure he stayed grounded in his character: clearly a natural talent.
Another was by Tyler VanDuvall, depicting the character of Becker, who was the owner of the station. The character of Becker truly has the patience of death, which is ironic given his (spoiler alert) untimely demise. VanDuvall captures all of these extreme emotions beautifully as if he had been in Becker’s shoes in another lifetime.
Another great performance was by Ashlee McNeil playing Rena, a book-smart woman who knows what she wants and just so happens to be the love interest of YoungBlood being that she is the mother to his child. Rena is a multifaceted character. Of course, she wants to provide for her family and make sure her man is not running the streets, but it is also clear she has a lot of goals and ambitions outside of her family that she will obtain without question. Viewers could tell McNeil is destined to be a star-studded actress by this performance.
Rena was double-casted, meaning that in some shows the role would be played by McNeil, and the other shows would be played by Alexis Martin, another unmistakable actress in the program.
Without question, this was a show for the books that everyone can tell how much work was put into it. KSU is lucky to have such talented actors and actresses and is even more lucky to have them grace Stillwell Theater.The Department of Theatre and Performance Studies puts on multiple theatrical performances each academic year. For more information about upcoming productions and to buy tickets visit their website.
