ROBEY THEATRE COMPANY AND GREENWAY ARTS ALLIANCE
PRESENT
PERMANENT COLLECTION
By Thomas Gibbons
Directed by Harry Lennix and Dwain Perry
Produced by Cynthia F. Stillwell
REVIEWS OF PERMANENT COLLECTION
GALLERY OF PRODUCTION PHOTOS FROM PERMANENT COLLECTION
In PERMANENT COLLECTION, a revered art
collection becomes the focus of a battle over race, history,
and culture. Sterling North, an African-American businessman,
has unexpectedly become the new director of the Morris
Foundation, a world-famous collection of paintings and
sculptures amassed by the idiosyncratic Dr. Morris. While
touring the building, Sterling discovers several significant
African sculptures in the storage department and proposes that
they be placed in the galleries for public viewing. He is
opposed by Paul Barrow, the Foundation's long-time education
director, who argues that Morris' will forbids changing the
permanent collection in any way. Spurred on by a zealous
journalist, their clash escalates to public accusations of
racism and a bitter struggle for control of the collection.
Caught in the middle is Kanika Weaver, Sterling's young
assistant, who finds herself torn between her loyalty to
Sterling and her growing friendship with Paul.
PERMANENT COLLECTION examines related issues of visibility and
empathy. Who has the right to decide which works of art hang
on a wall? What is the amount of space---literal and
metaphorical---the white world gives to African-Americans?
What is the cost of failing to step outside ourselves, to see
the world through another's eyes?
Harry J. Lennix and Dwain Perry direct. Lennix, a SAG Award nominee
earlier this year for his portrayal of Joe Adams in the movie “Ray,”
currently stars with Geena Davis and Donald Sutherland in the new ABC
pilot “Commander In Chief.”
Dwain Perry has previously collaborated with Lennix on several
productions, including “Julius Caesar,” “The Glass Menagerie,” and
“Unjustifiable Acts.” He appeared onstage with Lennix in the Robey
production of “The Last Season.”
The actors assembled to appear in “Permanent Collection” include
Erin-Lee Adamson, Victor Hugo Basso, Pierson Blaetz, Doug Cox, Colette
Delacroix, Bennet Guillory, Kenyetta Lethridge, Kent Minault, Kiersten
Morgan, Elayn J. Taylor and LaFern Watkins.
Production stage manager: Sammie Wayne IV. Assistant stage manager:
Shirley Salaki. Set design: James Eric and Victoria Bellocq. Costume
design: Naila Alladin-Sanders. Graphic design: Robert Trucios. Lighting
design: Ian Garrett.
For Robey Theatre Company----Producing artistic director: Bennet
Guillory.
For GREENWAY Arts Alliance----Co-artistic directors: Whitney Weston and
Pierson Blaetz. Managing director: Meredith Freeman. Production manager:
Darin Dahms.
