2013 Black Theater Workshop
Last weekend SIUE held the Black Theater Workshop (BTW). This annual student-run production features SIUE students in wide variety of short vignettes emphasizing cultural heritage and issues of civil rights.
This years theme for BTW was, “The Stories We Weave,” was chosen by director Ashley Bland and co-director Kristina Cirone.
“We decided this based on the people we met throughout college and how our stories are different but that brings us all together,” Bland shared.
Students working on the BTW pull the show together under a very rapid deadline having just a few short weeks post winter break to stage the one weekend show. The acts are all chosen by the students involved with many being student written or choreographed. Kathryn Bentley serves as faculty adviser for the production and encourages students to take the reigns for the production.
“They pick their pieces, they direct their pieces, and I just come in and provide guidance,” Bently shared.
Lisa Colbert started the workshop in 1999 and the tradition has continued after her death in 2002. In Memory of Colbert the Lisa Colbert Memorial Scholarship is awarded at the end of workshop.
Filed Under: African Studies • Black Studies • Theater & Dance