After Friday night’s opening performance of Pretty Fire, the audience was invited to stay for a question-and-answer session called “Talk-Back.” A panel of Saint Louis University professors joined the actors and director to share their perspectives with the audience; then the floor was opened for discussion. SLU Theater created the session specifically for Pretty Fire due to the controversial nature of SLU’s adaptation of Charlayne Woodard’s one-woman show.
Janice Fronczak of the Theater department introduced the panel of professors: Dr. Kathryn Kuhn, sociology; Dr. Georgia Johnston, English; Dr. Karla Scott, communication and African-American studies; and Dr. Janet Kuebli, psychology. Each professor spoke about the play’s relevance to her own field of study.
Dr. Johnston spoke about Pretty Fire’s importance as a piece of literature.
Johnston emphasized the power of its language, especially the use of names and name-calling. Charlayne’s childhood character “recalled” being named, and later being called the “n-word” at school.
Johnston commented that the play conveyed both the impermanence and the force of language. She said Woodard demonstrated that language can be “just words” or it can have a lasting emotional impact.
Audience members agreed with Dr. Scott’s comment that the era of Jim Crow seems like ancient history to college students.
Scott spoke about the dual challenges black parents faced, “socializing their black children in a white world” while also instilling morals and values.
The controversial element of SLU’s adaptation was the most frequent topic of discussion: white actresses playing the role of a black girl.
There were two casts of five, both consisting of black and white actresses. Director Gregory Horton said that he cast the actresses because of their skill, not their race, and that he was tremendously pleased with the results.
The audience seemed to agree: The said the actresses had performed with individual intensity and realism that made any trace of a race barrier disappear.
One audience member enthusiastically asked if “Talk-Back” sessions would be held for future plays. There was no final answer from members of the Theater department.
However, the consensus from those who spoke was that “Talk-Back” brought closure and additional depth to the experience of Pretty Fire.
