“I don’t see race,” late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert has said on several occasions. “People tell me I’m white, and I believe them.”
For the rest of us, things aren’t that cut and dry. Race is still as important a topic today as it has been throughout American history. But how do we see it today? Do we value different races and their diversity? Do we stereotype? Do we conform to what others think our race should be?
Even in a country where we’ve elected our first black president, it’s a topic most people like to avoid as best they can.
But it’s a topic that deserves exploration. The theatre, dance and performance studies school has embraced it with open arms with its production of Clinton Johnson’s Am I Black Enough Yet? in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center’s Kogod Theatre.
An “examination of blackness,” Am I Black Enough Yet? is performed by a talented ensemble cast (Jamar Brown, Juliette Ebert, Alexis Fortiz, Jason Phillips, Erica Philpot, Kiara Tinch, John Wahl and Baakari Wilder) and tells several stories to scrutinize the modern-day concepts of race, ethnicity and identity.
This is no way a standard play. As soon as it starts, the players break the fourth wall to inform viewers that everyone in the audience will be “honorary black folks” for the duration of the performance. Those who are already black don’t miss out on the action.
Actual black folks are told, “You’re, like, uber-black. Like Shaft-level black,” as Shaft’s theme song plays.
Once the audience is all on the same level, the series of performances begins. Skits, songs, poetry and anecdotes examine the many facets of race in America. They include fun, energetic pieces such as “Eight Things You Need to Know and Do When You’re Fully Black” and more serious pieces that focus on topics such as interracial dating, finding a hero as a minority and differences in culture among one race.
One sketch regarding a “slang council” and a monologue about author Ezra Jack Keats steals the show as its funniest and most touching moments, respectively.
The show asks questions that some might not want to ask. Sometimes, this means laughter and smiles as the cast pokes fun at certain ideas. Other times, it requires somber reflection into one’s own thoughts. And yes, it’s possible at some point someone’s going to get offended. Racial slurs are dropped, and stereotypes are used to great effect.
Although Am I Black Enough Yet? dives into these topics with a no-holds-barred approach, it’s clear that director Scot Reese has instilled into his actors a notion of the delicate nature of what is covered. The show’s stories don’t preach or tell you what to think; rather, they take a risky, raw approach that lets audiences answer the tough questions they pose.
The theater is set up in a minimalist fashion. When audience members walk in, they see a platform and a sheet with the name of the play written on it in graffiti. Songs ranging from Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove” to Usher’s “Yeah!” play until the show starts. Once the sheet drops, a simple set is revealed.
Two chairs and a table are the only set pieces on the stage. Above it are a series of signs and lights that illuminate where a given scene of the play is taking place. It’s simple and organized, allows the crew to appear invisible and lets the play flow easily from one part into the next.
The show runs a bit long but keeps the audience engaged the entire time. The pacing of the sketches assists greatly in making time pass.
The ensemble works extremely well together and delivers an all-around great performance. The actors show tremendous range as they each play many characters throughout the course of the performance. Their only shortfall is, at times, some of the actors — who are not wearing microphones — may be difficult to hear.
An Oct. 12 letter to the editor in The Diamondback asked for one thing of CSPAC: “good, relatable stories, presented in an enjoyable way.” With Am I Black Enough Yet?, the theatre, dance and performance studies school nails this request.
No matter what your race, ethnicity, culture or beliefs, this show delivers a remarkable (and sometimes really funny) method of self-exploration through theater, without all of the baggage that goes along with being politically correct.
“It’s your culture,” the audience is told. “Learn it, live it, love it.”
Am I Black Enough Yet? runs through Saturday at the Kogod Theatre in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $27, $9 for students.
RATING: 4.5 stars out of 5
afreedman@umdbk.com
