Kylie Brown Photo

From: Photo Flash: First Look at AN OCTOROON At Actor's Express

The Auburn Avenue Research Library in collaboration with Actor's Express will host director Donya K. Washington, dramaturg Dr. Angela Farr Schiller, and Atlanta Distinguished Professor Emerita of Southern Studies Dr. Theda Perdue in a discussion on the performance of race through the context of history and the Obie Award-winning play An Octoroon by playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The New York Times praises An Octoroon as "This decade's most eloquent theatrical statement on race." In it, Jacobs-Jenkins reframes the 19th century melodrama, The Octoroon by Dion Boucicault, blending theatrical styles and 21st century cultural politics in an exploration of the art form's interplay with race and identity. Opening with a scene from the Atlanta production of An Octoroon featuring actor Neal A. Ghant, our panelist share in discussion about the play's themes, their relation to our state and local history, and why it's still relevant today.