Globalizing the Notion of Family in The Call IN TANYA BARFIELDâS TACK-SHARP DRAMA THE CALL , THE POLITICAL BECOMES DEEPLY PERSONAL. A CAUCASIAN COUPLE STRUGGLING TO GROW THEIR FAMILY DECIDES TO ADOPT A CHILD FROM AFRICA, AND THEY FIND THEMSELVES CAST INTO CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ABOUT HOW MUCH OF AFRICA THEYâRE WILLING TO BRING INTO THEIR HOME. As the number of couples sharing stories about starting
The characters struggle with the challenges of pursuing an
families in non-traditional ways grows, these once taboo
international transracial adoption. Over the course of the play,
subjects are starting to get more airtime.
these struggles reveal uncomfortable truths about their own
âEverywhere one looks today, it seems there are blogs and
natures, including their understanding of race and community.
Facebook posts and articles about adoption, exploring the
âAt center, the play is about how personal decisions affect a
theme,â Eleanor Holdridge, the playâs director, said. âIt is not
globalized world and how globalization affects people in a
surprising that the subject matter is moving to stage. What is
very individual way,â Holdridge said. âWe are all part of a larger
surprising and wonderful is the idea of the couple in this story
community, and our individual actions and views, such as how
wanting to adopt in a responsible way that is for the good of
we perceive and forge family, have repercussions.â
the world, and not just their own views. They want to re-define the idea of family.â
THE CALL RUNS SEPTEMBER 30 â OCTOBER 8, 2016
UMD SCHOOL OF THEATRE, DANCE, AND PERFORMANCE STUDIES
2016â2017 SEASON
TDPS students Summer Brown and Kristen El Yaouti in Baltimore ⢠photo by Stan Barouh
THE CLARICE SMITH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
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