Show Theatrical Readings Inspire Students By Erin Hutchinson Staff Writer Conviction and power rang in the halls of the Grand Theatre on April 5 S when two professional actors took to the stage to declare a profound message message message mes mes- sage of freedom Danny Glover and Felix Justice performed their in interpretation of Langston Hughes' Hughes works With poise and eloquence Felix Justice delivered delivered delivered ered the famous speech by Martin Luther King entitled I Have A ADream Dream Full of emotion voice fluctuation fluctuation fluctuation tion and intensity the storyteller added personality to the already well prepared character Pausing for emphasis his opening remarks were Let justice roll down as waters waters waters wa wa- wa- wa and righteous like a mighty stream To say this was a theatrical theatrical theatrical cal reading would be incorrect as the skilled performer came completely completely completely com com- memorized At certain points in the speeches delivery audience participation in in- in creased Audience members verbally agreed to powerful statements by shouting Amen right and Oh Yeah Such audience interaction with the performer performer performer per per- former seemed to coax Justice into an ev even n more dynamic performance May God bless you were Justices Justice's final words as he gracefully exited left He then returned and introduced a fellow fellow fellow fel fel- low colleague and friend Danny Glover Glover is known for his screenplay screenplay screenplay screen screen- play experiences such as Lethal A Raisin in the Sun Silverado The Color Pur- Pur many more This however was a special treat as he did a live interpretation of several poems written written written writ writ- ten by Langston Hughes While the performance remained professional Glover maintained a casual and friendly atmosphere In his opening remarks he stated Its a pleasure to accept such warm Its It's not often that Im I'm in Utah Glover explained not only the meaning of the poetry but took an in depth look at the emotional and personal personal personal per per- side of Langston Hughes By C 3 F I ex JM 4 w l R Q 3 r h 4 t J C A aa C I Cj-I bc- bc y 9 Se y 3 7 t S n 6 4 ls Jr a. a r ah zaK faa his preparation and eloquent delivery delivery delivery ery he succeeded in bringing the audience audience audience au au- au- au to a greater understanding of the lifestyle of the famous poet He described poetry in Langston's words Poetry is the human soul squeezed like a lemon or lime into atomic words He described described described de de- de- de scribed the poetry as humorous and full of irony And the poet himself as as Controversial poems exudes Langston's affections for African- African Americans beyond issues of race and justice Some of the poems Glover recited recited re recited re- re cited were I too which he had also read to a group of young Africans Africans Africans cans during elections Harlem which he explained as his favorite Who Vho but the Lord which he dedicated dedicated dedicated dedi dedi- to Rodney King and Question Question Question Ques tion and Answer which he dedicated dedicated dedi deW to all young students To the students of he says quoting the poem There is a world to gain and if someone says what if we dont don't want it itT then simply simply simply sim sim- ply take it and remake it it focusing on each students potential to make a difference Many questions were presented to both Justice and Glover after after- wards In which the information was given that Operation Drop was the title of Glovers Glover's next film his father was his greatest influence and hed he'd learned a lot about his cultural cultural cultural cul cul- cul- cul tural identity Justice mentioned his family and Danny as his top priority his interest in reading the part of Malcolm Malcolm X X one day and that he le learned me l fa a lot t ab about t tr r Hughes through his experience When asked what impression was left student Becky Larsen re- re experienced in theatre myself I find myself critiquing other actors harshly I can honestly say it was a perfect performance by both of them It was a wonderful learning leaning experience experience experience ex ex- as well as enjoyable Other students had similar responses as well Felix Justice put a lot of feeling into the speech and made it seem as if it were presently happening I actually felt as if I were there It was also exciting to see Danny Glover who is in so many popular movies do a live performance It was a once in a Ii lifetime opportunity opportunity stated student Alexis Over all the afternoon left an impression impression impression im im- im- im on many students that will live forever One could sincerely say that Langston Hughes would indeed be very proud |