SDSU School of Theatre, Television, and Film Presents A Raisin in the Sun
Live at the Don Powell Theatre, the SDSU School of Theatre, Television, and Film presents A Raisin in the Sun written by Lorraine Hansberry. Performed by an all African American student cast, this historical drama captures the Black experience in a story about family, dreams, and combatting racist oppression.
A Raisin in the Sun will run from Friday, Feb. 18 to Friday, Feb. 25, Tuesday though Saturday at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $17 for students, and $20 for the general public
Set in the 1950’s, A Raisin in the Sun follows the Younger family, and the events following the death of the family patriarch, who’s demise left them with a $10,000 life insurance check. This life-changing sum serves as the center conflict for the members of the Younger family, whose individual ambitions conflict as they all pursue the path to a better life by leaving the South-Central Chicago ghetto.
Director Niyi Coker shares his insights on the show. “A Raisin in the Sun is a human story that was written in the 1950’s but has even more relevance today with the albatross of race remaining as a constant threat,” said Coker.
Junior, and theatre arts performance major Cierra Watkins plays the leading role, Ruth Younger. Watkins is the co-founder of the Black Renaissance Theatre Group and is passionate about platforming Black talent at SDSU.
“This is a story of family, struggle, and perseverance. This story gives an outlook on the Black family in America,” says Watkins. “This is just one of our many stories and it needs to be seen especially here at SDSU.”
Coker chose to change the setting of the play from South-Central Chicago to San Diego in order to emphasize that racist oppression happens not only in mid-century Chicago, but also in modern day San Diego.
Amira Temple, who plays medical student Beneatha Younger, shares her insights on the production’s new setting. “While San Diego can feel like an exception to the problems of the world, living in our own sunny bubble, it is just not the case,” says Temple. “I appreciate that Niyi’s choice pops that bubble and invites the audience to think harder about the truths they may be avoiding.”
A Raisin in the Sun performers share the connection they feel with their characters and the ever-present issues the play addresses.
“Lorraine Hansberry manages to tackle racism, redlining, abortion, misogyny, and assimilation all in one play, a lot of which we still struggle with today,” said Temple.
“I hope those who come to see A Raisin in the Sun leave with a better understanding of the point of view we African Americans see the world through,” said Jaden White, who plays Walter Lee Younger. “I hope those who go to see it feel the pain, laughter, and love the Younger family experiences in this beautiful show because it’s a close representation of what a lot of black families experience today.”
For more information or tickets visit the SDSU School of Theatre, Television, and Film website at ttf.sdsu.edu. SDSU COVID-19 protocols are required.
The content within this article has been edited by Lizbeth Persons.
