An original Boston College production, Diverse Voices was performed in the Bonn Studio for a handful of BC faculty and students on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Voices was a production about race and ethnicity presented by the 14 students that make up the new Ethnic Theatre Studies class and was directed by visiting faculty member, Robbie McCauley. This raw presentation, composed of monologues, movement pieces, and class improvisations, was an engaging example of groups on campus using fine arts to address important social issues.
The Ethnic Theatre Studies class was conceived by the head of the theater department, Dr. John Houchin, who has taught African-American Turns at BC in the past. Due to past events on campus, capped with the difficulty of talking openly about racism, the theatre department felt the need to respond with this expressive discussion. Ethnic Theatre Studies is the department's attempt to start asking the really tough questions that many are unsure of how to phrase.
Voices targeted some sensitive issues. From the trouble many black women have with hair, to interracial dating, no subject was too delicate for McCauley's ensemble to tackle. The show opened with a powerful true story told by Alessandra Brown, A&S '08, of an incident that happened to her steps away from the doors of the theater, silencing any cynics that think racism isn't an issue on campus. The students used several different methods to share their experiences, including original songs, dialogues, and even a recreated class discussion that felt so natural it was as if the audience was not even in the building.
The performance had limited technical help - a handful of lights and street clothes - forcing the audience to focus fully on the words of the performers. One student performer said during the talkback, "This is not a play." The true strength of the piece was the amazing connection that every single student brought to the stage. The performers were not acting parts; they were being themselves and allowing the audience a sneak peak into the issues they dealt with during the class time.
The saddest part about the performance was the limits on its influence. One audience member said during the energetic talkback that followed Voices that the Bonn is only big enough for so many people to hear these stories. Something like Voices ought to be performed on O'Neill Plaza, at every orientation, or at Arts Fest so hundreds of people can use the experience of one class's journey to help make their own voices heard.
But the conversation that started with Voices does not and should not end there; many more artistic opportunities are coming up next semester for performance groups on campus. In the spring, look for the Dramatics Society production of White Chocolate, which uses outrageous comedy to reveal racial stereotypes of the world in which we live.
2008 Woodie Awards
