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Another Approach To Theatre

Abstract:: Al Jarreau performs 'You Don't See Me'Program focuses on three different African American theater productions. Host Barbara Barrow introduces the topic of Black theater and stage works Raisin (the Tony-Award-winning musical for 1974), The Black Dyad (about Black male and female relationships) and 'Theatre in Reverse,' a Say Brother theater piece with an in-studio vocal performance by Al Jarreau with dance performances (with the intent of drawing the audience's attention to sound and light, rather than to the performers). Program contains excerpts from each production, and an in-studio discussion with writers/directors Evelyn and Melvin Moore about the excerpt 'The Date' from The Black Dyad, which was the only segment of the three aired on the program. Produced by Marita Muhammad Rivero. Directed by Conrad White.

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The Art of Black Dance and Music perform dances from the harvest festival Kwanzaa

Abstract:: Dance and drumming company The Art of Black Dance and Music, under the guidance of Artistic Director DiAma Battle, performs harvest dances from Guinea, Gambia, Nigeria, and Senegal, and explain the seven principles of Kwanzaa (one for each day of celebration).

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Abstract:: African American youth and education in Boston. Program consists of numerous community affairs segments, the most prominent of which is a panel discussion directed by Sarah-Ann Shaw on African American youth and education in Boston. Guests include Jean McGuire (Roxbury resident and only Black Pupil Adjustment Counselor for the Boston public school system), Gerald Hill (an African American teacher and nominee for Interim Project Director of the King-Timilty Coalition), Francine Mills (director of a vocational program for Operation Exodus), John Jackson (an African American teacher involved with experimental work-study program of Boston public schools), and Patricia Raynor (parent and member of the Parents' Education Committee). Additional segments include musical performances by Gwen Michaels and The Stark Reality, a poetry reading by Linda Hall, staff reflections on a recent African-style wedding in Boston, and a reading of the community news by Jacqueline Banks. Produced by Jim Boyd. Directed by Stan Lathan.

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Abstract:: Cannonball Adderley and the Cannonball Express. Program contains numerous 'magazine-style' segments, of which the most prominent is host John Slade's interview with musician Cannonball Adderley. Accompanying the interview, in segments before and after, is performance footage of Adderley's jazz band Cannonball Express (with Bobby Timmons, Walter Booker and Roy McCurdy) shot live at Paul's Mall in Boston the night before the interview. Other segments include a performance by the Immala Blakely Dancers, an interview with Harvard psychiatry professor Dr. Alvin Pouissant about his book Why Blacks Kill Blacks, a demonstration of self-defense techniques using karate with black belt Harry Gardner, and a performance by jazz group The J.R. Mitchell Experience. Produced by John Slade. Directed by Russell Tillman.

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Abstract:: 'Blast from the Past' with FCC Commissioner Benjamin Hooks. Program is divided into two halves: the first consisting of five dance segments aired in previous programs, the second of newsmagazine-style segments. Dance performances are by the Dance Company of the National Center of Afro-American Artists (performing the piece 'Doogla'), the Dance Theatre of Boston (performing 'Black Light'), and Halim Adbur Rashid (Fred Johnson, performing a mime/modern dance piece). Additional segments include 'Information' (on preparing for unemployment), 'Community Access' (on the work of the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency and its role as a financier of mixed income developments), 'Blast from the Past' (with an excerpt from a 1972 interview with FCC Commissioner Benjamin Hooks on the need for increasing the numbers of African Americans in the television and radio professions), the 'Community Calendar,' and 'Commentary' by Producer Marita Rivero (consisting of film footage of an African American couple on a date). Produced by Marita Rivero. Directed by Conrad White.