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On Thursday, January 15, 2009, in honor of the official birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Works, in association with Shades of Truth Entertainment, will present Jeff Stetson’s “The Meeting.” It is directed by Eric Coleman.
The powerful drama stars acclaimed actors Michael Green as Dr. King, Lawrence Winslow plays Malcolm X and Ron Wilks is Rashad (the bodyguard). “The Meeting” will be presented to hundreds of public school students and community members at the historic Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center (3940 Broadway & 165th Street - 10:15AM & 12:15PM) - site of the famous Audubon Ballroom where Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965.
“The Meeting” is the recipient of eight NAACP Theater Image Awards, the Louis B. Mayer Award and six New York AUDELCO Award nominations. It is an engaging and cleverly written play that depicts a fictional secret meeting between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X following the bombing of the home of Malcolm X. It takes place one week before his assassination in 1965. Malcolm and Martin meet in a room in Harlem’s historic Hotel Teresa – where Malcolm X has chosen to stay with his bodyguard Rashad for the safety of his family - to discuss their differing philosophies and roads to freedom.
“The Meeting” is part of Community Works’ award-winning multicultural and intergenerational Theater Connections calendar of events offered at sites citywide. Community Works is a leading arts-education organization founded in 1990, with the mission to build bridges between diverse cultures and neighborhoods by using the arts as a tool for social and personal change, and sharing community stories that connect us all. The organization currently serves over 350,000 people throughout NYC each year through acclaimed performances, workshops and exhibitions.
Shades of Truth Theatre has presented highly educational productions to audiences in theatres, churches, community centers, schools and correctional facilities such as Rikers Island, Sing-Sing, and Eastern Corrections. The organization has been a bold presence in the Harlem community for the past six years because of its ability to provide high quality, low cost, and positive entertainment.
For further information, photos and interviews, contact Community Works/Shaun Rasmussen at 212 459-1854.