VCU African-American Studies program and Department of Theartre to present one woman show

By Malorie Burkett

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University's African American Studies Program and Department of Theatre will present "Rage is Not a 1-Day Thing," a one-woman show and documentary theatre play that examines the untaught history of the Montgomery bus boycott.

The performance is free and open to the public and will take place Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. in VCU's Shafer Street Playhouse, 221 N. Shafer St.

Performed by international storyteller and award-winning recording artist, Awele Makeba, the play is based on oral histories, interviews, court transcripts, memoirs, and biographies, and is told primarily through the voice of 15-year-old Claudette Colvin, who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala. bus nine months before Rosa Parks' arrest for the same act.

Claudette, who became the star witness in the federal court case that went all the way to the Supreme Court, shares the stage with 12 other characters, including other history makers such as 18-year-old Mary Louise Smith, who also was arrested for not giving up her seat, JoAnn Robinson, president of the Women's Political Council and Rosa Parks, NAACP youth director and secretary.

For more information, call 804-828-1384.