For Immediate Release
GOODMAN THEATRE'S EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING PRESENTS CONTEXT: THE LEGACY OF EMMETT TILL
(Chicago, IL - May 21, 2008) In conjunction with The Ballad of Emmett Till by Ifa Bayeza, the Goodman's Education and Community Programs department presents its CONTEXT Series -three free one-night-only special events to celebrate "The Legacy of Emmett Till." All events are free, but reservations are required for the events on May 25 and June 1 - 312.443.3800. Target is the Major Corporate Sponsor and Lead Diversity Night Sponsor and Katten Muchin Rosenman is the Corporate Sponsor Partner. The Ballad of Emmett Till must close on June 1.
The Legacy of Emmett Till: A Mother’s Courage
Saturday, May 24 at 5pm
Author Christopher Benson and actress Deidrie Henry discuss Emmett's mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, whose heroic decision to keep open the casket bearing the mutilated body of her 14-year old son forever changed the United States. Benson authored Death of Innocence: The Hate Crime that Changed America—a biography of Emmett and an autobiography of Mamie as told to Benson, which has served as the most accurate account of Emmett's life. Henry portrays Emmett's mother in The Ballad of Emmett Till by Ifa Bayeza. Goodman Theatre's Director of Education and Community Programs, Willa Taylor, will moderate. Benson will be available for a book signing before the performance of The Ballad of Emmett Till and after the post-show discussion.
The Legacy of Emmett Till: UnTill Emmett Till, a Jazz Suite
Sunday, May 25 at 7pm
Fresh off of an international tour, Ernest Dawkins and Khali B bring to the Goodman UnTill Emmett Till, a Jazz Suite—a searing new 90-minute jazz composition that has only been performed once before in this country. Ernest and Khali will discuss the creation of this piece, followed by its performance by Ernest and his band, the Chicago 11. Chicago Tribune music critic Howard Reich created a review of the piece here.
Race, Youth and Violence in Chicago
Sunday, June 1 at 6pm
Of the 24 Chicago Public School students killed during this school year, three were participants in Goodman Theatre’s Student Subscription Series. Journalist Laura Washington moderates a panel discussion about the increasing intra- and interracial violence among Chicago youth, the proliferation of gangs, and efforts to reverse this tide. Panelists include Cathy Cohen, professor of political science at University of Chicago and principal investigator for the Black Youth Project.
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