THE WINNER OF THE 2019 PULITZER PRIZE FOR DRAMA
BY JACKIE SIBBLIES DRURY
DIRECTED BY TERRANCE HENDERSON
As the lights come up, we find ourselves at the Frasier household, and preparations for Grandma’s birthday party are under way. Beverly is holding on to her sanity by a thread to make sure this party is perfect, but her chatty sister can’t help at all, her husband is listening as best he can, her brother is MIA, her daughter is a teenager, and maybe nothing is what it seems in the first place! Suddenly in Act Two, the rules of the play change and the voices of new characters enter the space.
As the play careens towards the unexpected conclusion, we’ve learned that Fairview is a searing examination of families, drama, the white gaze, privilege, perspective, and the insidiousness of white supremacy.
Under the direction of 2016 Steve Morrison Visionary Award winner Terrance Henderson, Fairview asks audiences to confront their ingrained perceptions, the deep roots of American prejudice, and the possible future that awaits when space is made for change. This fourth-wall-shattering new play, and the 2019 winner of The Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is one of the most stirring plays in recent American theatre history—and it’s right here at Trustus.
“Fairview travels towards the unresolvable, morphing from neatly structured, stereotypical familiarity into rampant chaos and then into fractured, inquisitive aftermath. It begins by giving us something we think we’ve seen before, then estranges us from it and from ourselves as viewers of it, then cracks the whole thing open entirely and forces everyone in the room, actors and audience, to reckon with the broken pieces.” –Vulture, Sarah Holdren
Fairview is supported by a generous grant from the National Endowment of the Arts. Funding from the NEA will be used to support training sessions and support for the creatives involved in the project, as well to fund talkbacks following performances. Talkbacks are scheduled following performances on April 30th, May 7th, and May 11th.
SHOWTIMES:
Friday, April 28th – 8:00pm
Saturday, April 29th – 8:00pm
Sunday, April 30th – 2:00pm *
Thursday, May 4th – 8:00pm
Friday, May 5th – 8:00pm
Saturday, May 6th – 8:00pm
Sunday, May 7th – 2:00pm *
Thursday, May 11th – 8:00pm *
Friday, May 12th – 8:00pm
Saturday, May 13th – 8:00pm
HOW TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
WELCOME TABLE at The University of South Carolina
The Welcome Table SC strives to help communities understand the importance of listening, storytelling and relationship-building as prerequisites to producing real and measurable change. Sessions can be created of varying lengths from one week to three weeks and for municipalities, universities and corporate partners, from half-day and full day sessions to multiple days and week.
PARTICIPATE in USC’s self directed 21 DAY EQUITY CHALLENGE
The College of Arts and Sciences is dedicated to increasing understandings of race equity and inclusion. Science tells us that 21 days is the amount of time needed to create a habit. To that end, this three-week challenge will offer participants the chance to deliberately focus on issues of equity on a daily basis. By building an “equity habit” we believe we can learn how to more effectively understand and celebrate our differences.
ATTEND a TALKBACK session at TRUSTUS THEATRE
Community talkback sessions will be held following the performances on April 30. May 7, and May 11. Sunday talkbacks will begin at 4:05pm and Thursday evening will begin at 10:05pm. All community members are invited to attend.
The Richland county library provides resources to start an honest internal dialog or conversation about Race, Equity and Inclusion and really get to know yourself, your neighbors and your community. Looking for personalized recommendations or additional resources? Call us at 803-799-9084 for assistance.
CONTACT A COMMUNITY LEADER OR EQUITY ADVOCATE
Below is a list of community members in our network
Terrance Henderson
Together SC