Up & Coming Weekly

NOVEMBER 11-17, 2009 UCW 17 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Acclaimed Playwright brings Drama to FSU Stage by TAKEEMA HOFFMAN Professor Stan Waring knows a thing or two about being a pioneer. "Hunters have a saying," he said with a grin, "The lead deer always get's shot." As a student in the Professional Playwrighting Program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Waring experienced his share of trying times. "I almost quit the program 50 times," he joked. All joking aside, Waring remained focused, faithful and driven which earned him the distinction of being the fi rst African- American to graduate from UNCLV with a Master's of Fine Arts in Playwrighting. It is an honor that carries with it a profound historical value and impacts Waring both personally and professionally. "I showed it was possible to do...if you can do it then other people can do it." While still a student, his orginal work, Pluck The Rose, placed second in the running for the Lorraine Hansberry Playwrighting award, another accomplishment that Waring cherishes. "It meant a lot to me...because she's probably one of, if not my favorite, playwright. When I fi rst read her seminal work A Raisin In The Sun, I was moved because she captured the essence of what it means to strive for a dream in the face of adversity. Her work is very personal and that makes it very powerful...to be mentioned in the same sentence with Lorraine Hansberry means a lot...a whole lot." This month brings another fi rst for Waring as he makes his directorial debut bringing a classic piece of theatre to the Fayetteville State University stage. The Old Settler is a tale by John Henry Redwood in which we are introduced to Elizabeth and Quilly, two sisters living in 1943 Harlem. "Even though it's set in Harlem during the 1940s," says Waring, "it's a very contemporary story. The play poignantly addresses our need for compassion and passion." It is through the exlporation of internal motivation that Waring guides his actors into genuine portrayals of Redwood's complex characters. "I fi nd that my strength as a director is helping to develop character. I am always working to ensure the actor knows what they want, why they want it, and how they plan to get it." As with Waring's play Pluck The Rose, Redwood's, The Old Settler portrays the African-American experience from a unique and historical perspective. Both plays are set in World War II and feature characters who have strong ties to the south. "History, for me, is the same as theatre, because in theatre and history you are watching people change over time so that's how they come together for me...they are two of the same things to me..... they come together because you're watching transformation over time." It is Waring's love of history and his upbringing in the South that strongly infl uence his 'voice' as a playwright. "I'm from Richmond County. I grew up hearing stories and so I grew up around a lot of older people...and a lot of times in the African American community how they express things, are through stories.... they teach morals almost like Aesop's Fables through these stories...Biblically Jesus did it so it's a great way to get across your message. I think specifi cally for me I like writing about ordinary people because I saw ordinary people everyday in my life do extraordinary things and never get credit for it, so I think that's my passion." Waring's artistic vision also extends into an exploration of a new genre of African- American theatre. "I feel that it is time for a new genre that combines the well developed characters, subtext and plot of mainstream theatre with the passion and energy of the traditional gospel plays. If you could take the social commentary of Spike Lee and the inspirational message of Tyler Perry and somehow blend them together...you would have an awesome night of theatre." Waring hopes to bring his vision to theatres across North Carolina in the near future through his production company/ ministry Standing On The Word. For Waring theatre is a powerful tool in the building of strong community spirit and as an instuctor he aims to use his passion and skillful manipulation of the art to keep traditions and heritage alive. "It is my hope that the theatre program continues to celebrate the diversity of our students and our community while honoring the history and tradition that has made Fayetteville State University a great cultural and educational resource in our region." Performances of The Old Settler is on stage Nov. 19-21 at 7:30 pm in Butler Theatre on the FSU campus. Admission is $10 for the public and $2 for students. For more information or to purchase tickets please contact the Ticket Manager at 910-672-1724. TAKEEMA HOFFMAN, ContributingWriter COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or Editor@upandcomingweekly.com November 17-18, 2009 Crown Expo, Fayetteville, NC This event is open to military personnel and the military trade only. The event is not open to the general public. Free Pass Online! Free Pass at: www.SoldierEquipmentExpo.com/UCW2 or 1-800-882-8684 Featuring: • Hundreds of Never-Before-Seen Products • Meet UFC Fighters • Carolina Panthers' TopCats Cheerleaders • Guns & Weaponry from companies including: Glock, Colt, Heckler & Koch, Schmidt & Bender, Smith & Wesson and more! • ESPN Radio Broadcasting Live! • Free Happy Hour! • Tons of Giveaways! ...and We're Blowing Sh*t Up!! First 500 Soldiers Each Day Receive A Commissary Gift Card

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