Black Rep Presents Premiere of 'The Etymology of Bird'

The final play of Black Rep's 2007-2008 Theater Season is the world premiere of  The Etymology of Bird, a contemporary urban love story by Zakiyyah Alexander, directed by Black Rep's Associate Director Megan Sandberg-Zakian.   

The Etymology of Bird takes place in present day Brooklyn, "during a long, hot nyc summer.  B-Boys, fly girls, and MCs mix with merengue, salsa, and dancehall; it's hot as an oven, and love is in the air.  The summer is just like any other until a new cop arrives in the neighborhood, setting in motion a series of events that will change everything." explains press notes.

"The idea for The Etymology of Bird began several years ago when I came across an article that dealt with the murder of Timothy Stansbury Jr.," said Alexander, a Brooklyn native, in a recent press release. 

"He was a teenager accidentally shot by a housing cop while opening the door to the roof of his housing project in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.  The article was small and there wasn't so much information on the case, but it stuck with me...  For me the issue was not just about a senseless murder, it was the fact that this sort of situation seems to happen again and again...  It also occurred to me that the news only seems to cover the outer boroughs of NYC, and to report on black youth, when a tragedy occurs – especially a violent tragedy. This play was in response to these thoughts.  It's a story much bigger than Brooklyn.  It's a love story that is interrupted as two teenagers come of age.  It's a story that goes beyond simply telling the story and asks, what is our responsibility?", Alexander continued.

The Etymology of Bird opens in previews April 10^th and runs through May 18^th at The Providence Black Repertory Company, 276 Westminster St., Providence, RI.  Showtimes are Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

General admission tickets are $20 each, with $10 students/seniors tickets.  Every Sunday is Pay-What-You-Can.  Tickets may be purchased through Arttix RI at www.arttixri.com or by calling 401-621-6123.

 For more information visit www.blackrep.org.