Run of the Mill Theatre is … anything but run of the mill.
That is how David Mitchell, founding member, and theatre instructor at Morgan State University, wants playgoers to think of this theater company in current residence at Baltimore?s Theatre Project.
“We?re testing the water in the 2006-07 season,” said Mitchell, noting that their collaboration with the producing director of Theatre Project, Anne Fulwiler is reciprocal. Their mission statements are very much in sync ? to present a diverse array of original and experimental theater, music and dance, as well as to connect the artists and audiences of Baltimore with a global community of performers.
And tocelebrate its unique form of expression, Run of the Mill is presenting a South African Play Festival that includes two mainstage productions, and several staged readings.
“I think people hear ?South Africa? and it just doesn?t ring with them around holiday time,” Mitchell continued. “But there is a string of humor running though the plays and a certain lightness.”
The plays, “Sizwe Banzi is Dead,” written by Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona, and “Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act,” by Athol Fugard, are run in repertory.
Actor Corin B. Self plays one of three characters in “Statements.” The love story set in 1966 South Africa, where a South African black man and a South African white woman must face the consequences of their love affair.
“The concept isn?t far from racial relations in 2006 America,” Self said, adding “I hope that the audience will see this as a wake-up call and an opportunity for self evaluation.”
Staged readings are of contemporary South African plays that include “Virgin Boy,” by Peter Krummick, and
“A Coloured Place,” by Lueen Conning. South African dance rounds out the festival with a performance by Lesole?s Dance Project at 7 p.m. Dec. 10. Several dance workshops led by Lesole will be open to the public.
IF YOU GO
South African Play Festival at Run of the Mill Theatre
» Venue: Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., Baltimore
» When: Now through Dec. 31
» Info: 410-752-8558; www.runofthemilltheatre.org
