March 26: WORD! Festival, Featuring Script by Jorrell Watkins

Jorrell Watkins of Hampshire College was one of four students from across the Five College consortium to present original scripts for the stage at the annual WORD! Festival on March 26.

Watkins’ work is entitled Harlem Vanguards: A Choreopoem. Other featured scripts are Missing Pieces by Robyn Sutton-Fernandez, Mount Holyoke College; Marcus and Christopher by Chris Gonzalez, UMass Amherst; and The RPO by Jordan Reed, UMass Amherst.

The productions address race and diversity, based on playwright August Wilson's idea that theater can raise consciousness and politicize communities of color. The scripts were chosen by the Multicultural Theater Committee, which also offered artistic and dramaturgical support for students to prepare their work for the stage.