Rielly Pulliam<\/strong><\/p>\n

Staff Writer\/MC301<\/strong><\/p>\n

MADDRAMA Performance Troupe gave the audience an evening to remember for the five-day span of their latest show.<\/p>\n

Written by Mark Henderson, who is the artistic director and founder of MADDRAMA, the play highlighted stereotypes of black men.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI originally wrote \u2018New Beginnings\u2019 in 1998 and we were able to tour with the show and it spoke to a lot of people,\u201d said Henderson. \u201cIt is my hope that a young black man in the audience is impacted by the performance and it inspires them to reach their full potential. I want them this to motivate them to work hard so they don\u2019t have to become a stereotype.\u201d<\/p>\n

The production told the story of eight different black men who fell into the labels that are often given by society.<\/p>\n

The cast entertained the audience from beginning to the very end of the show. People laughed, cried, and even sang along to familiar songs that were played between scenes.<\/p>\n

De\u2019Marcus Anderson, a junior graphic design major from Memphis, Tenn., is a longtime fan of MADDRAMA.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always enjoy the productions that are put on by this group. They are really good at pushing boundaries and their shows spark conversations that need to be had in the not just in the black community but with all races.\u201d said Anderson. \u201cThe show tonight was really amazing and relevant to what is happening in our society today.\u201d<\/p>\n

The show also featured a monologue titled: \u201cWhere Are All the Black Men?\u201d which was performed by JSU student Starr Smith and a dance break called \u201c Strong Brotha Tribute\u201d performed by Breana Mitch and Christian Johnson.<\/p>\n

The heartfelt poem \u201cTaking A Stand for My Black Man\u201d was enacted by Asia Thompson, Starr Smith, Deandrea Frank, and Khaliya Erivn which was followed by another scene that focused on stereotypes about black men.<\/p>\n

Actors Alan Philips, Jesse Love, Jamarion Wright, Parker DeLoach, Landon Arnold, Derrick Gunn, Michael Taylor, and Joshua Knight closed the show by delivering a powerful and heartwarming monologue that moved the audience and left them with an inspirational message.<\/p>\n

Janiya Freeman, a senior social work major from Chicago, Ill., hoped that the show allowed guys in the audience to see just how the world wants to view them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am from Chicago and black boys always get roped into gangs or selling drugs in my city. This play really spoke to me because the stereotypes are literally people in my community and it made me sad a little bit because there are so many young black men who think their only option is drug dealing and gang banging,\u201d said Freeman. \u201cI just wish that they could see this show because it would really open their eyes and let them know they can do so much more, and they have so much potential.\u201d<\/p>\n

MADDRAMA encourages all students, regardless of majors, to join in order to be a part of their powerful performances. Applications open in Fall 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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