No more rainbows in ‘Colored Girls’ play

Mia Brooks plays her role in the performance. The play delt with issues such as rape, domestic abuse, abortion and racism.

Dead Silence.

That was one of the reactions of the audience at the GUC performance center as “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf” by Ntozake Shange was presented. The play was performed Oct. 25 and 27 at 7 p.m. All proceeds went to Rape Response of Florence.

“It is a little intense but a good form of expression,” said UNA freshman Hannah Hicks. “I have never been so aware. It has really forced me to think.”

The silence was in response to the social issues addressed in the play. Issues undertaken included date rape, domestic abuse, racial prejudices and abortion. The silence, though, can be interpreted as positive and thoughtful through considering the reviews of audience members.

“It was very emotional and deep and thought provoking,” said UNA senior culinary arts major Ashley Whitehead. “I think it is very relevant to what is going on today.”

The play included poetry, witticisms and musical performances. These elements of dramatic performance really affected audience members, according to Jensen Porter, a UNA freshman.

“I liked it when they sang,” Porter said. “It gave me chills.”

It was not just audience members who were affected by the performance, though. The actresses in the play had positive comments about their acting experience.

Actress Tabitha Johnson said so many people think that plays such as “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf” are just for a select audience. She learned, though, that plays such as this one are for everyone. According to Johnson, the ladies in the play wore all the colors of the rainbow to represent people of all skin tones and races.

Tammy Rhodes was one of the driving forces in the production. She acted in the play and was the woman who first decided to “put this on the stage” here at UNA.

“It was a movie I saw,” she said.

The concept was originally presented as a play, Rhodes explained. “And I wanted people to know about the play and movie.”

The efforts of the actresses did not go in vain, according to Emily Kelley, coordinator of the Women’s Center. Her response summed up the positive reaction of the audience if that job was not done by the applause and laughter that intertwined with the quiet stillness throughout the progression of the play.

“We had outstanding attendance and the response was so positive,” Kelley said. “People were coming out of the theater calling other people to come. I can’t think of a better endorsement than that.”