Raleigh Little Theatre Takes On The Story Of Jena 6
North Carolina Public Radio | By Dana Terry,
Published September 26, 2019 at 3:35 PM EDT
Areon Mobasher Photography
The cast of 'Blood at the Root.' (Brynna Rosenberg, Roman Lawrence, Myles Moore, Aysia Slade, Carl Staub)
A Louisiana high school became the subject of national debate and controversy in 2007 after six black students were accused of attempted murder after a high school fight.
The fight was prompted by rising tensions after students discovered nooses hanging from a tree on campus. Playwright Dominique Morriseau takes on the complexities and tensions of the Jena Six case in her play "Blood at the Root," now on stage at Raleigh Little Theatre. It tells the story of a student named Raylnn who one day decides to sit under a tree typically reserved for white students. Someone responds by hanging three nooses from the tree, and this sets up a chain of events that leads to her brother and other black students being charged with the attempted murder of a white classmate.
Host Frank Stasio previews the production with director Lormarev Jones and cast members Aysia Slade and Carl Staub. The play is on stage at Raleigh Little Theater from Friday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 13.
Arts & Culture The State of ThingsRaleigh Little TheatreBlood at the RootRacismThe Jena 6Black TheaterAysia SladeCarl StaubLormarev Jones
Dana Terry
Dana is an award-winning producer who began as a personality at Rock 92. Once she started creating content for morning shows, she developed a love for producing. Dana has written and produced for local and syndicated commercial radio for over a decade. WUNC is her debut into public radio and she's excited to tell deeper, richer stories.
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