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October 7 , 2009

Award-winning CSU Dominguez Hills Black Theatre Program Opens “Jitney” October 16

When:          8 p.m., Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24; 2 p.m., Oct. 18 and 25

Where:         University Theatre, California State University Dominguez Hills
                   1000 E. Victoria St., Carson, 90808

Tickets:        $12 general admission, $10 for students; sold at the door

(Carson, CA) – The California State University, Dominguez Hills Department of Theatre and Dance is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its nationally recognized Black Theatre Program with an alumni-based production of August Wilson’s “Jitney” under the direction of Donis Leonard, associate professor of theatre arts. The play runs October 16, 17, 23, 24 at 8 p.m. and October 18 and 25 at 2 p.m. at the University Theatre.

Take a funky ’70s ride in a ramshackle taxi depot in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. Here, the middle-aged men who drive unlicensed gypsy cabs, or “jitneys,” strive to find honor and accomplishment amidst a landscape of diminishing opportunity. The station owner, Booster, struggles with the prospect of being closed down by the city, along with the return of his estranged son who has spent 20 years in prison, which unleashes two decades of brutal, raw emotion.

August Wilson stands among other great African American artists who hail from Pittsburgh’s Hill District, such as Lena Horne, Billy Eckstine, Erroll Garner, and Art Blakely.

“Wilson is the greatest black playwright in American history,” says Leonard, who has cast eight CSUDH theatre alumni out of the nine cast members for this production of “Jitney.” “I brought back alums for ‘Jitney’ to showcase their talent and to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Black Theatre Program here at CSUDH.”

Alumni “Jitney” cast members are Shonni Albritton (Rena), Phil Bray (Doub), Myron Campbell (Fielding), Vince Conard (Turnbo), Rahmon Ford (Shealy), Darryl McKellar (Booster), and Robin White (Philmore). Senior theatre major Skylar Brown plays Youngblood and guest artist Greg Thompson plays Becker.

During the 2009 National Black Theatre Festival held in North Carolina in August, the CSUDH Department of Theatre Arts Black Theatre Program was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award, recognizing it as one of the nation’s premiere collegiate theatre arts programs.

For more information about the CSUDH Black Theatre Program and “Jitney,” e-mail dleonard@csudh.edu or call 310.243.2847.

For ticket information please call the Box Office at (310) 243-3589. Tickets are available at the door. General admission tickets are $12 and $10 for students with I.D.

The University Theatre complex on the campus of CSU Dominguez Hills is located on Toro Center Drive/Tamcliff Street off Victoria Street in the city of Carson. Metered parking lots are within walking distance. Permits are $4 and can be purchased at yellow kiosk machines near each lot.

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About CSU Dominguez Hills -- California State University, Dominguez Hills is a highly diverse, urban university located in the South Bay, primarily serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The university prides itself on its outstanding faculty and friendly, student-centered environment. Known for excellence in teacher education, nursing, psychology, business administration, and digital media arts, new degree programs include computer science, criminal justice, recreation and leisure studies, social work, and communication disorders. On campus is the Home Depot Center, a multi-purpose sports complex that hosts world-class soccer, tennis, track and field, lacrosse, and cycling.

Media Contact:
Laura Perdew
(310)  243-3264
lperdew@csudh.edu

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