Director/playwright Walter Dallas’ career has allowed him to teach at schools throughout the United States and direct at theaters around the world. Holding degrees from Morehouse, Harvard and the Yale School of Drama, Dallas created the School of Theater for the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and was artistic director of Philadelphia’s Freedom Theater for 16 years. Dallas is currently nearing the end of a five-year residency at the University of Maryland.
“It’s been good being here,” said Dallas, “teaching, directing, getting to know D.C. I’ve gotten to work at the Atlas Performing Arts Center and have continued to work in Philadelphia from time to time.”
The show that Dallas is currently directing at the University is a play by John Henry Redwood, “The Old Settler.” “We did the world premiere of that show at the McCarter Theatre back in 1997,” said Dallas. “I got to meet Redwood then and when this opportunity came up, I thought I should do it for the sake of the younger actors, to allow them to be introduced to a play that they might otherwise never know.
| Onstage |
| ‘The Old Settler’ |
| Where: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, College Park |
| When: Through February 18 |
| Info: $9 to $27; 301-405-2787; claricesmithcenter.umd.edu |
“Also, it will give them a chance to stretch, to play older roles, to do research and explore being a different age. Two of the characters are in their 50s and two are in their 20s. So it seemed like a good opportunity for all four actors to learn something. There are challenges all around including for the sound designer, who may not know much about music of the period.”
“The Old Settler” is set in Harlem in 1943. In it there are two church-going sisters who live together. Elizabeth has never been married, although her younger sister has. “The situation around that marriage has been a very sore spot between the two women,” explained Dallas. “The older sister was actually in love with the man who married the younger sister.
“There’s also a young man who comes from down South and moves in and is a catalyst for most of the action. He’s looking for his girlfriend who has come North and changed tremendously.
“It’s a beautiful play, very moving and yet very funny. It has deep emotional concerns. The story touches everyone who sees it. The entire audience bursts into tears and laughter at the same time, every time we rehearse or perform it. It’s completely amazing.”
