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Page lOA - THE CHARLOTTE POST - Thursday, June 8, 1989 Freeman Expands Into Directing ByM.LLaNEy Special To The Post Margaret Freeman Is taking advantage of the rich and di verse background of her acting career (she has appeared with Whoopi Goldberg In 'The Color Purple," has also appeared In "King Kong Lives," acted In the production of "Bags") for use as director of the upcoming local production of August Wilson's play "Ma Rainey's Blackbot- tom." Freeman Is directing the play for GM Productions. It's sched uled to be presented by late sum mer. All cast members are not confirmed, but local musicians Michael Porter, Lerol Paige, Grady Seegars, Lonzel Fleming and Gene Walker are reading for roles. Johnny Holloway, noted saxophonist and bandleader, will be the technical advisor and Donald (Cannonball) McClure will assist as stage technician. Freeman's plan Is to take the talents of locally recognized mu sicians and utilize them In "Ma Rainey's Blackbottom" which Is a play about the members of Ma Rainey's band. The Rabbit Foot Minstrels. Set In 1927, It was a loose and turbulent time for black enter- taihers. They performed night after night throughout the deep soyth courtesy of Theater Own ers Booking Association (TOBA), otherwise known to mean "Tough On Black Actors." Ac commodations were barely tol erable, but top acts were well- paid and Rainey was a top star. "'Ma Rainey's Blackbottom' Is a perfect vehicle to convey the ../S', , s *•* 1 " MB! 3 OOPS! In Our June 1,1989 Car Care Issue, The Complete Car Care Detail Service regular price was incorrect! Discount of $10.00 off is still available, For more details call 536-25181 PERSONAL TOUCH CRR CRRE 5137 Central Avenue Open Monday-Saturday 8ann-6pm Photo/LuNEY Margaret Freeman (foreground], director of the local production of "Ma Rainey's Black bottom," holds a script reading session with Valca Valentine (1) and Michael Porter. tensions and rigors of early black celebrities," says Free man. 'When 1 think about how I'm going to approach this play and present It to the audience. It's Important to denote two fac tors," she adds. "One, Charlotte audiences respond well to plays with music and to musicals out right. Secondly, There Is a grow ing awareness, a re-klndllng of Interest In the blues and Jazz. "By paying close attention to those factors, the play should be well-received." The musicians Freeman's working with are all locally rec ognized and they have played In a variety of situations from ses sion work with some to today's top names to club dates through out the country. Acting is anoth er facet of their talents Freeman hopes to develop, while she In creases her knowledge of blues and jazz. She Is charging her cast mem bers to exploit the dramatic ele ments of the play. Currently she Is holding drama workshops for the actors/muslclans. Script changes and staging suggestions are discussed during these ses sions in the effort to achieve the vision Freeman has for this pro duction. "'There Is a recurrence of sim ple truths within the pathos of the play," says Freeman. "Points to ponder include the pros and cons of musical expertise and commitment, on the one hand, versus the necessity of making a living, on the other." Freeman Is striving for a ster ling performance from the mu sicians that may lead to major theatrical engagements and maybe road tours. OREHEAD EDICAL •Pregnancy Testing Daily • (No Appointment Necessary) • Abortion • Birth Control • All Calls Strictly Confidential 1351 Durwood Drive 334-9132 NTER Licensed OB-GYN Specialist Charlotte Memorial Hospital Durwood Dr. Morehead Med. Cntr. Morehead St. Black Writers Convene This Weekend At Adams Mark Hundreds of black writers from across the country are expected to attend the 19th annual International Black Writers Conference (IBWC) this weekend at Charlotte's Adams Mark Hotel. The program begins Friday with registration and exhibits starting at 4 p.m. Friday's evening programs begins at 7 p.m. Including dramatic readings that be gin at 7:45 p.m. Workshops will be held throughout the morning and afternoon on Saturday. See chart for workshop titles and times. A meet the IBWC authors program begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and wUl be followed by the Alice Browning Awards Banquet at 8 p.m. Les Brown, writ er, legislator and motivator, will be the keynote speaker for the beinquet. Dr. C. Eric Lincoln, author of The Avenue, Clayton City, will receive the Alice Browning Award. Sunday's events Include a Meet the Publishers pro gram at 9:30 a.m., a Songwriter's Luncheon at 11:30 p.m., and a Meet The Press panel discussion begin ning at 1:45 p.m. "I'll Grieve In the Morning," a play by Nathan Ross Freeman wtll be presented at the Afro-American Cul tural Center at 4:15 p.m. Sunday, closing out the weekend's activities. For more Information, please call (704) 343-9745. Writers Workshops Saturday, June 10 Wotitshop A Copyrighting & Publicalion Writing for Children Young Writers Workshop (ages 12 -18) Script Writing/Play Writing 9 a.m.-10 a.m. 9 a.m. -10 a.m. 9 a.m.-10 a.m. 9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Wortehop B Desk Top Publishing 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Lyrics & Song Writing I 10:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m. Writing for Hire 10:15 am. -12:15 p.m. Workshop C Journalism 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Word Expressions Trade, Technicals 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Professional Journals 1:30p.m. -2:30 p.m. Workshop D Lyrics & Song Writing II 1:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Poetry & Prose 1:30-3:45 p.m. Motivational Workshop 1:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Workshop E Fiction & Non Rction 2:45 p.m. -3:45 p.m. Political Writing 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Editing 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. CALL US TO PLACE AN AD TODAY! AUTO INSURANCE IS24 N. Grail am St. "God Is Our Very Best Friend" Read You King James Bible, Pray and Thank God Every Day. on dry cleaning only silk not included Monday-Saturday Off#r ijqiires Jun® 16,1989 Minimum $5. After Rebate COUPON MUST ACCOMPANY ORDER Full Price After 30 Days Expert Alterations • We Work Saturdays Too! AMERICAN DRY CLEANERS & LAUNDRY 1806 North Graham Street • 333-6111 (Next to Hutchison Shopping Center) We Pressure Wash Driveways Arid Aliiminuiri Sidings • Licensed • Bonded • Insured 563-6602 or 331-0811 UNDERWOOD'S Professional Carpet Cleaning Spring SPECIAL!!! UNDERWOOD'S for a limited time will clean any size room from a 9 xl2 to a 12 X 15 for only $14.00 per room Hallways $3.00 This is to steam clean and deodorize. Minimum of 3 rooms required. Scotchguard available upon request. 24 HOUR SERVICE Our Work Guaranteed! % RS#’ "Freden'ck Douglass Lives Again" by Charles White Saturday, June 17, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ADAM'S MARK HOTEL 555 S. McDowell St., Charlotte, N.C. Featured will be originals, sculptures, limited editions, prints and posters by: Bearden, Lawrence, Barnes, Honeywood, Joysmith, Britt, Byrd and others. Info: 1-800-458-8602 Major Credit Cards * Admission free * Show benefits United Negro College Fund * Bring this ad for ONE free unframed poster
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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June 8, 1989, edition 1
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