Suzan Fete Talks about our DIVERSITY Series.

December 09, 2010

In 2007 Renaissance Theaterworks produced TOPDOG/ UNDERDOG by Suzan Lori Parks.  I was very lucky to have the chance to direct this amazing show and work with the talents of Chike Johnson and Wayne T. Carr.  The production was terrific and well received by both audiences and critics.

It became clear during the run of the show that TOPDOG attracted a more diverse audience than the traditional Renaissance audience. We saw more people of color in the TOPDOG audience than we had ever seen before at a Renaissance show.

In the seasons since we produced TOPDOG the Artistic Directors (me, Jen and Marie) at Renaissance have increased our efforts to cast more people of color in our productions, FAT PIG and THE PERSIANS are examples of our endeavors at non-traditional casting.

But neither of those shows succeeded in further diversifying our audience.

So we started talking about changing our offerings to include more stories about people of color.  We believe that one reason people come to the theater is to see stories and characters they recognize.

So the idea for The Diversity SERIES was born. The goal of the Diversity SERIES is to Create Theater that reflects the face of our community. We made a three-year commitment that 40% of our productions will showcase the stories and talents of people of color.

For our first selection in the series Renaissance Theaterworks is proud to present the Milwaukee premiere of CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage.  Told through the eyes of 17-year-old Ernestine, CRUMBS, is a memory play about an African-American family from the Deep South that has moved to bustling Brooklyn in 1950.   CRUMBS is a lyrical, funny and compassionate gem that charms the heart with its delightful, unforgettable characters and its message of tolerance and love.

Renaissance is very pleased to be collaborating with Milwaukee’s newest African American theatre company; UPROOTED on this exciting project.  UPROOTED’S mission is to provide a vital outlet through the performing arts for the exploration and expression of African-American voices and cultural experiences. UPROOTED strives to unite all members of the Milwaukee community, regardless of their racial or socioeconomic backgrounds, religious or cultural beliefs, gender or sexual orientation, age or professional status.   UPROOTED is a perfect artistic partner for this poetic piece.

Plans for the collaboration began over a year ago.  Renaissance had wanted to produce CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY for years, so when we met with UPROOTED to discuss ways to work together CRUMBS came up immediately.  We shared the script with UPROOTED company members Dennis Johnson and Marti Gobel and they loved it!   Three of UPROOTED’s company members, Dennis Johnson, Marti Gobel and Tiffany Cox will work on CRUMBS. Dennis will make his professional directing debut and both Marti and Tiffany will act in the play.

We’re really excited to begin our Diversity SERIES. We hope we will attract a new more diverse audience to Renaissance Theaterworks.  We know we will strive to create a great production of a beautiful work that is new to all of Milwaukee.