The Play “The Nigga Files”

The play “The Nigga Files”, written & directed by Donja R. Love & co-director Heather Thomas showed the ins & out of the education system of 5 inner city youth in a reform school & a teacher recognizing that his classroom may be the only hope left for the students. Majority of the time I was stuck in the basement with Muhammad & Ronnie doing quick changes for the actors & making sure collars were straight & looks were perfect. This was my first time as a costume director but with their help it made things a lot easier.

Read the rest for my thoughts on the play and for photos from the run of the show

I can honestly say once I was able to sit and watch the play it was life changing. Many times we judge a book by its cover or a person without knowing why it looks or why someone is acting a certain way. The play showed you stereotypes & stigmas from a boy on the down low, drug dealer, womanizer, addiction & HIV/AIDS. It not only showed you how a person with those traits can act but why they may act that way. Loss of a sibling, habits from a family member or just doing anything to make your mother happy. It defined the word “Nigger” & “Nigga” & the word “King” which shatters all of thee above. I am amazingly blessed to have been apart of such a production.

Cast:
Tobi Gadson as Mr. Isiah
Jamal Hall as Jamal Mannes
Aaaron Thorton as David Soul
Keith Illidge as Anthonie Spencer
Lindo Jones as Bashir Hines
Stan Dixon as eddie Jenkins
Salina Faison as Martha Hall

Next up System Report (6 part miniseries inspired by The Nigga Files) premieres May 2011

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Marcus X

Thanks for sharing. I’m a first time observer of your blog/site. Very dope and inspiring. Needless to say, I’m also an aspiring filmmaker, screenwriter, playwrite, activist…I’m a 21st Century Renaisance man. LOL. I would love to consider your fashionable expertise for my future projects. I’ve seen you around a few events in the city too recently. I’m following you on Twitter as well.

I heard some great things about this play [The Nigga Files]. I wrote a play similarly close this one back in 2004 called the “Stolen Race.” It incorporated song and dance in addition to historical reference portrayed in a dramatic format.

My other piece was an urban epic called “The Home Coming”, which ran at the same [Shubin] location as the this piece.

Hopefully, we’ll cross path’s at future events in the city. Insha Allah.

Peace,

January 24, 2011 at 12:59 pm

Curran J Swint

Thanks a lot Marcus. really appreciate you taking the time out to check out my blog. We can most definitely talk about collating in the near future. Thats what Kings Rule Together is all about!!

January 24, 2011 at 1:51 pm