Nicole Knight
Sports Editor
Two of the University of La Verne’s talented seniors performed their theses in a double feature showcase March 31, April 1 and April 2 at the Cabaret Theatre.
Siddeeqah Shabazz started the show with her own written and performed work titled “Say It Loud.” Shabazz took the audience on a captivating timeline of African American history, incorporating song, dance, monologues and poetry in a one-woman-show.
With the Cabaret Theatre converted into an intimate half circle stage, the set took the audience into the attic of a young girl exploring her history.
Shabazz showed a wide variety of depth and talent playing many different roles and characters in black history. From traditional African dancers, inventors, singers from the 1920s and faces from the Civil Rights Movement in the 1970s, Shabazz showed the audience a new side of African American history.
“I wanted the audience to come out more educated about things you don’t normally get taught about black history,” Shabazz said.
The audience moved along with Shabazz following the emotions and receiving a better understanding of the culture.
“I thought it was electrifying,” said Joy Hofer, an alumna of the ULV master’s program. “Her portrayal of Malcolm X was helpful in understanding how he fit in.”
Every aspect of Shabazz’s production reflected the moods and emotions of the event.
“I used the combination of arts as a reality, almost as facts to further the story,” Shabazz said. “Through art, I could show the feelings and emotions African Americans went through at that time.”
Shabazz’s faculty adviser, Steve Kent thought her production turned out better than she expected and praises her performance.
“The biggest challenge for her was selecting what to say out of a massive amount of material and not sounding too preachy,” Kent said.
Sharing the Cabaret Theatre with Shabazz, Samantha Chung performed “The Most Dangerous Woman in America,” by Michael Bettencourt, a one-woman-show playing the role of the notorious Emma Goldman.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Goldman boldly spoke and acted for ideas of anarchy and feminism.
While playing Goldman, Chung described herself as “an anarchist, rebel and a big mouth.”
Chung’s set scattered the stage with platforms and abstract hanging frames that she used to tell Goldman’s story. The set also included a large projection screen hosting historical pictures of the time period and the infamous Goldman.
Chung expressed to the audience Goldman’s radical ideas and her emotional perspectives, all combined with her unique, humorous at times, point of view.
“It was a challenge finding her humor, because it is so different than my own,” Chung said. “And finding similar wavelengths, to make her words my own.”
“I wanted people to know what she did for society and that people used to get killed for radical ideas,” Chung said.
Chung’s faculty adviser, Jane Dibbell, praised her pupil’s performance, organization and dedication.
“The biggest challenge for Samantha was taking on the responsibilities of a student and an artist,” Dibbell said. “Putting on a one-woman-show is challenging and she always remained focused.”
Beyond Chung’s talent on stage, Dibbell credited the senior with the ability to reach out to the audience.
“She accomplished her goal of talking with the audience and not adding sentiment and idealizing Emma Goldman,” Dibbell said. “She chose to share the whole human being, and that is a tribute to her intellect and ability to tell a story.”
Both Shabazz and Chung said they did large amounts of research to prepare for their roles.
Nicole Knight can be reached at stareknight17@charter.net.
