Beyond the 'Fences,' a world of color Workshop will explore stereotypes and playwright's modern themed work

Wilson to people, students and part of our audience community that doesn’t know his work,” Grear said.

Broad shoulders, back straightened with a commanding presence, lead actor for the upcoming production of “Fences” Lester Purry stepped off the stage to guide actors and nonactors alike through the history of stereotypes and the business of acting.

The Performing Arts Department organized the August Wilson Workshop for Wednesday, Nov. 16 in the Dow Arena Theatre between 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The free event is open to members throughout the campus and is thematically aligned with “Fences,” according to director and instructor of theatre arts Valorie Grear.

“This workshop has been about introducing the work of August

Grear, acquainted with the work of Wilson, chose “Fences” while selecting a play for a dramatic literature class. Everybody in the play loved it and was deeply affected by it because of the issues identified in the play, which dealt with father-son relationships, among other deeper themes, she said.

Purry, who will be playing the character Troy, has 30 years of experience and has appeared in seven out of 10 plays featured in the “The Century Cycle” by Wilson.

“The thing about Wilson’s play is that the history that I feel is past, present and future,” Purry said. “It’s so poignant. You think about a play like “Fences” where Troy is so afraid of his son being hurt in the world because of racism or because of circumstances not being the way he thinks they should be, and in some ways we are still facing that.”

The workshop will feature the film documentary and a discussion of

“Ethnic Notions” by Marlon Rigg.

Participants will take a disturbing voyage through American history, tracing the deep-rooted stereotypes, which have fueled anti-Black prejudices and made their way onto stage, radio, TV and film, according to the flyer advertising the event.

“That’s what so important about the film that we are going to show in the workshop, “Ethnic Notions.” August has always dealt with stereotypes and I would say that in every single play he does because he is interested in taking away the power of negativity of it,” Purry said.

After the documentary, there will be Q&A with a focus on Wilson’s work as well providing practical acting tips.

“The thing about the business side of theater is it’s sort of individualized and tailored because I couldn’t give a young Asian women the same advice I’d give to a young white guy,” Purry said.

Purry explained how one of the things he’ll be talking about is the different websites where you can selfsubmit yourself and things such as specific physical attributes or abilities that agents are looking for.

“It’s changed so rapidly. You used to have to mail your headshot and resume,” Purry said. “I had to have everything glued. I glued my resume to the back of my picture, put it in with a cover letter and mailed it all. Then I found out that if you seal it they won’t open it.”