For Colored Girls + Sabura Rashid's Beginners Playwriting Workshop

Last night I attended Paul Robeson Theatre's (Fort Greene, BK) production of For Colored Girls Who Consider Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. This was my first time seeing the show since my theatre company back in Austin -Drive By Players- put it on. The show itself was a bit rough around the edges, but it stayed true to the blk grrl spirit of Ntozke Shange's play. Paul Robeson Theatre is in a beautiful old church and has a proscenium stage. The stained glass windows next to the stage and the old setting of a church added a ritualistic, spiritual flare to the performance. But call me biased, I really believe For Colored Girls is meant to be set in the round with the actresses interacting and even touching, embracing, giving attitude to audience members. Some memorarble parts of this production for me were the Lady in Purple's voice, she really took us to church - it was HOT. And also the Lady and Red's Chrystal and Beau Willie monologue. Though at times, especially in the middle of this monologue, I felt what she was saying was lost, she'd find her self quickly. One thing about her performance that was consistent were her body movements. Her characterization of Beau Willie and Chrystal were painfully realistic.

If you haven't ever seen the show and have 20 bucks to spare (ouch!), check it out. Support Black Brooklyn Theatre!

Before the show, I introduced myself to Sabura Rashid, an audience member I overheard speaking about a playwriting workshop that she had just begun facilitating in Manhattan. From our conversation before the show started, I gathered that she is passionate about educating black folks on playwriting and has a strong desire to expand black folks vocabulary. She said that as black folks our own language, rythms, and words are precious, but that we still need to build and grow and diversify our shit. I was like, word. No pun intended! Sabura had mad good energy and I precieved a genuine desire to mentor, grow folks new to playwriting. Here's some contact information:

Beginners Playwriting Workshop by Sabura Rashid
An Affordable, 12 Week Course @ $180
http://www.meandmymuse.com | 917.743.1969
Got a good idea for a story? Want to write a play... not sure where to start? Come to a Beginners Playwriting Workshop. Learn the Basics (including grammar, vocabulary building), Creating a character, setting, dialogue, etc.

"I am especially interested in creating theatrical works pertaining to the experiences of the African Diaspora, in order to bring our stories to our awakening consciousness. We will then be able to heal from the trauma that has become locked into our DNA. Theater is one of the most powerful venues in which to do that. 'Theater' literally means 'the place where God speaks.'Therefore, let the gods of healing and justice speak through us!' "

-Sabura Rashid (taken from meandmymuse.com)