Downers Grove South students to put on 'Blood at the Root' for Black History Month
For Black History Month, Downers Grove South Drama Club will present "Blood at the Root" by Dominique Morrisseau on Feb. 3-5.
The performances will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday in the Performing Arts Center's Studio Theatre, 1436 Norfolk St. in Downers Grove.
Tickets are $10 and $5 for senior citizens and students without a District 99 Student ID. Students with a District 99 ID are free. Note: The content of this play is labeled "mature," due to adult language and themes.
The play is based on the true story of the Jena Six - six Black students in Louisiana who were initially charged with attempted murder for a school fight after being provoked with nooses hanging from a tree on campus.
"Through the use of acting, rapping and stepping, this play speaks to the world Black Americans - especially our students - live in and are fighting to change for the better," says Nathaniel Haywood, South High English teacher and director of the play. "This play will help our students and audience members better understand the complexities of race, individual freedoms and what justice means when biases have been normalized."
In addition to Haywood, Downers Grove South staff member Hunter Evans is serving as technical director.
The cast features: Quitoria McGregor as Raylynn, Suheily Gomez as Asha, Tekavin Russell as Deandre, Jessica Lander as Justina, Ashley O'Connor as Toria, and Max Bertrand as Colin. The ensemble includes: Sanyia Henderson, Kaitlyn Phillips, and Jadesola Sholebo; and the Steppers: Moyosore Ashalou, Briyanna Brown, Sanyia Henderson, Lenyha Huddleston, Kaitlin Philips, Reese Robinson, Jadesole Sholebo, Tamira Thomas, and Sirah Uwejeyan.
The stage manager is Summer Jarka.
For information, visit www.csd99.org/dgs/.