The Fresh Flavas New Works Program began in 2003 as a series of staged readings of works-in-progress by playwrights of color.  These readings, using local professional actors and presented to the public, provided essential feedback in the continued evolution of the works-in-progress.  Many playwrights go through the long, arduous process of play development without ever seeing the work on stage. 

 Sept. 14, 2009 – Atlas Performing Arts Center – 8 p.m.

1333 H Street, NE, Washington, DC

 Montford Point Marine by Samm-Art Williams; directed by Eric Ruffin. Mr. Williams is a 1968 graduate of Morgan.

 Playwright’s Bio: Playwright and actor. Stage acting includes appearances with the Freedom Theatre, Philadelphia, PA, 1968-73; the Negro Ensemble Company, New York City, in the plays Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide, 1974; The Brownsville Raid, 1976; Black Body Blues, 1978; Old Phantoms, 1979; Plays from Africa, 1979; and Big City Blues, 1980. Other New York stage appearances include Black Jesus, 1973. Film appearances include Dressed to Kill, 1980; Blood Simple, 1984. Television appearances include Cook and Peary: The Race to the Pole, TV film, 1983; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, 1986; The New Mike Hammer, CBS, 1986; and Frank’s Place, CBS, 1987; also appeared in television commercials. Worked as a playwright includes Welcome to Black River, 1975, A Love Play, 1976, The Coming, 1976; Brass Birds Don’t Sing, 1978; Home, 1979, Eyes of the American, 1985; “Eve of the Trial” in Orchards, 1986; Cork, 1986. Author of the book for the musical Bojangles, 1985, and contributor to the book for the musical Sophisticated Ladies, 1981. Writing for television includes story editing and scriptwriting for the television series’ Frank’s Place, CBS, 1987-88, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, 1990s.

Synopsis:  A play in two acts depicting the life of Robert Wilson, a former Montford Point Marine (the first Black American Marines 1942-1949), who fought at Iwo Jima, World War II.  Robert, a trained opera singer, is now living with the scars and turbulence of battle in World War II, losing his wife, love of his life and not being able to fulfill his life ambition which is to have his own vocal concert at Robin Hood Dell East, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The play begins July 10, 1993 on the 50^th anniversary of Robert’s enlisting in the Marine Corps, when he is paid a surprise visit at his home in Philadelphia by his son and his ex-wife, whom he loves very much.

This event is free.  Please RSVPs for a count.

 JoAnn M. Williams, Executive Director

African Continuum Theatre Company

3523 12th Street, NE – 2nd Floor

 Washington, DC  20017  

(202) 529-5763/tel.  -  (202) 529-5764/fax

www.africancontinuumtheatre.com