CRWN On The Move: A Recap of the Political Drama AUTUMN
With the presidential election approaching in two weeks, we are urging our readers to use their political power and vote. CRWN had the opportunity to see the politically-charged drama AUTUMN by the critically-acclaimed playwright Richard Wesley.
In the play, Franklyn Longley (Jerome Preston Bates) is an old-school, big-city mayor who expects to cement his legacy with a history-making governorship. The plot line explores the conflicts that arise when aspirations collide across a generational divide marked by sharply different political agendas.
The play begins to expose and highlight political corruption behind the offices of our representatives — our Black leaders. But the show is not created to cast a negative light on Black political leaders. Rather, we see how political systems and generational tensions can manipulate our leaders' intentions. It is a timely and pressing reminder to viewers and voters that it's up to us to hold our leaders accountable for their words and actions.
After the show, we grabbed Richard Wesley to talk about the message he wanted viewers to take away.
Yes, we are Black. Yes, we are citizens. Yes, we have a right to make demands.
"It was important to me that I begin to address issues about politics. There were a number of Black politicians who were being brought up on charges of petty corruption and other political acts of malfeasance, and I wanted to talk about that. I wanted to talk about how important it is for our political leaders to live up to the ideals that the community has for them, and how it important it is for the community to make that demand of our political leaders."
"I wanted to talk about how our leadership has been affected by some of the things that go on around them, and they are not necessarily villains and heroes — it's just people caught up in a system that [is not always] a rewarding one.”
Photography: Hollis King; Left: Jerome Preston Bates as Franklyn Longley; Right: Dorian Missick as Ron Drayton
If we don't care, how can anyone else care?
"Become involved, get involved, don't stand on the sidelines. We are at a point in our history that we need to pay more attention to what is going on around us — because the things that are going on around us are affecting us directly as well. We can't afford, any longer, to stay uninvolved."
"[Regardless of what we are doing] we have to remind people of what their responsibilities are. If they are unhappy with some of the people who are lined up in political power, they should remember it's still a democracy — and maybe their apathy is what put those people where they are. If you want to have a new leadership, you have to be involved. If you want things to change, then you have to be change."
Photography: Hollis King; Actress: LeKethia Dalcoe
Being woke is not just about waking up — it's about staying awake. It's not just about the presidential election, it's about using our voting power on the state and local levels, too. We have to continue to push ourselves and learn. If you can, grab a friend and take the time to watch AUTUMN. For tickets, click here. Shows are running until November 6th.
