23Arts LIVE book - Flipbook - Page 12
The Oscar Micheaux Project
This new musical, produced in
partnership with the Prospect
Theatre, will tell the story of a
charismatic and visionary AfricanAmerican leader. Inspired by the
life of the first major AfricanAmerican film director and
producer, Oscar Micheaux, this
suite will be modeled on
Micheaux's biography,
incorporating text from his writings.
Set in the aftermath of Chicago’s
“Red Summer” of 1919, Oscar
Micheaux Suite will investigate
America's history of race relations and explore the complex
internal dialogue as America grappled with its ideals
following WWI. Micheaux’s groundbreaking films focused
on contemporary black life, racial relationships, and the
struggle of African-Americans trying to achieve success. He
sought to create films that would counter white portrayals of
African-Americans, creating complex characters of different
social classes. We strive to honor Micheaux’s work and the
context in which it was created by creating an original,
contemporary work rather than a strictly "period" piece.