A SPECIAL THANKS FROM OUR DIRECTOR “Caesar didn’t see it, so he ceased to exist so the n***a that killed him had keys to his sh*t.” - Jay-Z Being black doesn’t make me oppressed; the oppression stems from the system of white supremacy that has been created to keep black people from fully thriving in this country. The psychological effect of white supremacy will make you do anything you can to ensure your survival. If you want to create a better life for yourself where does your loyalty lie? Is your blackness more important than your survival? Is the favor of white people worth assimilation at the expense of your community? The cast and I were discussing the crabs in a barrel mentality in the black community as described by Booker T. Washington, and one of our actors responded, “How did the crabs get in the barrel in the first place?" Another replied, "Crabs don’t belong in a barrel!” I’m not here to give you a 30-page thesis on critical race theory. My role is to guide us through Eugene Lee’s Pulitzer Prizenominated masterpiece through a modern lens. Producing this show in 2023 allows us to analyze how our community navigated white supremacy in the 50s compared to now. Do we come together as a community or do we fend for ourselves?
-Charles Jackson Jr.
FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT Welcome Back To Live Theatre The Next 42 From Jubilee Theatre Board President On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and actors of Jubilee Theatre, I thank you for attending this performance and, by doing so, taking a part in the success of Jubilee Theatre’s 43rd Season. Each time you come to the theatre, you let us know that you value the work we do to bring landmark productions to the stage for you to experience first-hand. While your ticket price helps cover the cost of the production; you may not realize that admissions only cover a portion of running the theatre. Ticket sale revenue accounts for approximately 45 to 50 percent of Jubilee’s annual operating budget. The balance comes from donations, both large and small, from generous patrons like you! We hope you will consider including Jubilee Theatre in your charitable giving plans. Whether your contribution is $10, $50, $500, or $5,000, each gift allows us to dedicate more resources to present theatrical works that reflect the African American experience. We are proud of our 43-year history of providing live theatre to the Fort Worth community, and with your help, we look forward to the next 42. Thank You,
Anita Heiskell Anita Heiskell, President Jubilee Board of Directors
