Detroit’67 Finishes Run at FSU Theatre
posted by Layia Campbell | April 12, 2022 | In Arts and Culture, NewsFrom March 31 through April 3, Fayetteville State University’s Theatre Department performed Detroit ‘67 by Dominique Morrisseau in the Butler Theatre.
Detroit ‘67 covered an important representation of what life was and could be like for Black people, giving the audience a window into the views, fears, and dreams of Black America during that time.
Set during the 1967 race riots in Detroit, Michigan, Detroit ‘67 provides a glance into the lives of two African American siblings—Lank and Chelle—and their friends—Sylvester and Bunny. Complications unfold when Lank and Sylvester find a badly beaten white woman named Caroline, on their way home from work one night.
During this time period, racial tensions peaked as Black Americans grew tired of living in small run-down neighborhoods, being brutalized by the majority-white police departments, and not being able to conduct business in their city.
The entirety of the production takes place in the basement of Lank and Chelle’s childhood house—left to them by their parents along with some money—where Lank and Sylvester run their secret nightclub, attempting to have more in this world.
Lank and Sylvester come across an incapacitated Caroline one night on their way home. Fearing taking her to the hospital, they bring her back to Lank’s home.
Social tensions occurring on—and underneath—the surface unfolds during the play. The threat to Black businesses and acts of brutalization against Black people prevent Lank and Sylvester to move their business aboveground.
Lank eventually falls in love with Caroline, despite Chelle pleading with him to realize what is happening in the streets around them.
Lank dreams of having a lifestyle free from persecution, as he believes white people do—however, his dreams are thought to be dangerous ones.
Some members of the production found Lank’s dream to resonate with their perspective of living as an African American.
Theatre major and director, Adrian Knight, said that the play’s cast members had unique experiences as Black individuals and for the play to be understood, all characters had to be on one accord.
“A part of the process was character development and open-ended discussions so that we could all get on the same page about [the play].” Knight continued, “One cast member didn’t really speak and later ended up dropping, and some parts did get a little raw because we have to understand that some Black people have different experiences than other Black people, … so there was some discord but eventually we were all able to get on the same page.”
Chris Kelley, Jr., who plays Lank was excited to perform Detroit ’67.
“It was something that we were excited to show because we don’t see [racial tensions] on stage or get to perform it,” Kelley Jr. said “It’s different portraying it on stage than discussing it.”
Photo courtesy of FSU Theatre
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