Directing A Raisin in The Sun

by Ashley Williams

As a black woman, it is important to me to see strong representations of people who look like me in the media and in art. When I had the opportunity to direct Lorraine Hansberry’s iconic play, A Raisin in The Sun, I knew this was a chance to showcase black excellence and bring a powerful story to life on stage.

A Raisin in The Sun tells the story of the Younger family, a black family living in Chicago in the 1950s. The play explores themes of race, poverty, and the pursuit of dreams in the face of overwhelming adversity. As a black woman, I connected deeply with the struggles and triumphs of the characters in the play, and I knew that I wanted to bring their story to the stage with authenticity and honesty.

One of the things that drew me to A Raisin in The Sun was that it was written by a black woman. Lorraine Hansberry was a trailblazer in the world of theater, and her work continues to resonate with audiences today. I felt a sense of pride in being able to direct a play written by a black woman, and I wanted to honor her legacy by bringing her words to life in a meaningful way.

Another reason why I wanted to direct A Raisin in The Sun was because of the talented cast that was assembled for the production. The actors were all incredibly skilled and dedicated to their craft, and I was inspired by their enthusiasm and passion for the project. Despite having only a week to prepare for the production, the cast worked tirelessly to bring their characters to life and create a powerful and cohesive performance on stage.

I also love the storyline of hopes and dreams that runs throughout A Raisin in The Sun. Each character in the play has their own hopes and dreams, whether it is to buy a house, go to medical school, or become a successful businesswoman. The play explores the ways in which these dreams are shaped by race, class, and gender, and how they can either help to unite or divide a family. I was drawn to the universal themes of A Raisin in The Sun, and I wanted to explore them with the cast and bring them to life for the audience.

Finally, I was inspired by the opportunity to showcase black excellence on stage. With the majority of the cast being black, I saw this production as a chance to celebrate the talent and diversity of black actors and artists. I wanted to create a space where black voices could be heard and black stories could be told with authenticity and respect. I wanted to create a show that would inspire and uplift, and that would challenge audiences to think critically about race, inequality, and the power of dreams.

In conclusion, I wanted to direct A Raisin in The Sun because it was a chance to bring a powerful and important story to life on stage. As a black woman, I felt a personal connection to the themes and characters of the play, and I was inspired by the opportunity to showcase black excellence and celebrate the talent and diversity of black actors and artists. I wanted to honor the legacy of Lorraine Hansberry and bring her words to life with authenticity and honesty. And most importantly, I wanted to create a show that would inspire and uplift both the cast and the audience, and that would challenge us all to think critically about race, inequality, and the power of dreams.

Tags: Actor, Black Woman, Director, Family