No, this post is not about a  follow up record to Mariah Carey's "The Emancipation of Mimi", it is about one of New York City's finest acting talents and his new project.  Which, I think, is going to be as explosive as a pop diva album release, but a heck of a lot more interesting!

This week I had the opportunity to speak with Ty Jones.  He might not be a household name (yet), but from the sounds of it -  he is about to get a lot more attention for a new play that he wrote and stars in called EMANCIPATION (thus the word play of the headline), which begins performances on April 10th at The Classic Theater of Harlem.  I am excited to share with you more about Jones, read on...

The Blacks

Several years ago I had the opportunity to see a show called The Blacks: A Clown Show which was being presented by Classic Theater of Harlem.  The show was getting a ton of buzz and I wanted to check it out.  I ventured uptown not knowing what was in store for me.  When I left the theater that night I was euphoric; I had (what I would later describe as) one of my top ten theatrical experiences of all time.  A show that made me think and feel; that challenged me to confront my beliefs about a variety of topics (primarily racism), but was, at the same time, highly entertaining and theatrical.  I saw the show a second time.  One of the actors in that show was Ty Jones (in a bravura performance that won him an Obie Award).  Now, many years later, Jones is looking to bring that type of experience to audiences with his new show EMANCIPATION.   He wants to create a show that is "an invitation to promote dialogue" and "elicits a visceral response from audiences".  If our fascinating conversation and his amazing talent are indication - this show is going to be a huge hit!

The Show

EMANCIPATION is about a slave by the name of Nat Turner and a pivotal moment that altered American history forever.  On August 21, 1831, Nat Turner led a slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia.  It began with a handful of slaves that grew to 50 men who killed 57 white people.  The rebellion was stopped in 48 hours and after six weeks Turner was captured, sentenced to death and hung.  It is this story that serves as the basis for Jones' play - an exploration and examination of slavery and the residual effects of that institution on our culture and country.  According to press notes, "the foundation of the play is based on Nat Turner's confession given in 1831 to Thomas R. Gray, however, EMANCIPATION transcends being a story about a historical figure to one about a period of time, which altered the course of US history."

The Setting

The play will have a interesting and unique setting.  EMANCIPATION will be performed in the historic Audubon Ballroom, at the The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz  Memorial and Educational Center, where Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965.  Jones believes that this historic location will serve to reinforce the themes and ideas in the play.  Jones told me that the space has a gigantic mural of Malcolm X that will serve as a backdrop and further illuminate the play and put the idea of liberation into context through the years.  Orienting the audience in a way that is different than a typical proscenium theater is always so exciting - it helps usher the audience into the world of the play and creates a more intimate experience.  This sounds like the perfect place to present this show.

The Beginning

After leaving graduate school and working in several prestigious regional theaters Jones found that the number of roles he would be offered was limited.  He wanted to play Romeo and was only being offered Benvolio.  He decided to take matters into his own hands and write something for himself - something that would give him (and other actors) the opportunity to play different characters and "use all the different tools from their experiences."  EMANCIPATION was born.  The script was first conceived as a screenplay.  Jones wanted to write his own Good Will Hunting (a la Matt and Ben).  The script got a lot of attention as a finalist for the Sundance Feature Film Institute and the winner of the San Francisco Black Film Festival.  Waiting for the project to get a "green light" he did a reading of the script at the O'Neill Festival (while there acting in another show).  At the encouragement of Jim Houghton (then Artistic Director of the Festival) he decided to turn the screenplay into a play.  Now after several readings (Lark Theater Co., LAByrinth Theater Co.) and a workshop (where everyone "got dirty" and had "really strong debates") the play is being presented at The Classic Theater of Harlem. 

The Collaborators

Joining him on this journey is Christopher McElroen, who will helm the project as the director.  McElroen directed the ground-breaking production of The Blacks.  Watching McElroen put The Blacks together made Jones realize that he was the man for EMANCIPATION.  "I needed someone with that kind of vision [who was] willing to take risks and think broadly," Jones said of McElroen.  So he brought him on board along with a cast of talented actors. 

The Issues

Jones and I talked about the issues and themes in the play.  I wish I could be as articulate as he was and even he indicated that the best way to find out what the play is about - is to go see it.  That being said, we talked about slavery and oppression.  Jones brought up the idea of contradiction and how much, as a country, we are able to tolerate.  He indicated that slavery is an acute contradiction.  It is both subtle and overt.  He touched on the idea that the presence of people of color is feared by the dominate psyche of white America and acts a trigger for self preservation.  By tackling this subject Jones hopes there will be transformation through dialogue. "EMANCIPATION is a play in which the audiences' participation and differing perspectives are tantamount to character, plot and motivation. The play looks at the absurd, tragic, and personal catastrophes of this era and offers no scapegoat or solution.  It offers a caveat to those who think critically and recognize that today's circumstances are profoundly influenced by the occurrences of the past."

Perhaps, in my opinion, if we are truly beginning a "national conversation" on race (created by, perhaps, this unique and historic election season) Jones' play will serve as another jumping off point for more and more discourse.  Like I said, Jones expressed his ideas much more eloquently than I can.  I am looking forward to seeing the play and having our discussion come to life in a dramatic and theatrical way.  If our interview was any indication it will be extremely engrossing and provocative.

History

Jones hopes the show will be "historic". That it will tackle big subjects, create some controversy, invite people to debate and discuss the issues presented in the piece, and make audiences feel something - have a "visceral experience".  One of the people he hopes to experience the play, is his father.   Jones told me that the play, in many ways, is for his father.  He was greatly influenced by the painful and powerful stories of his father's life in Mississippi.  Now in the twilight of his life and growing quite ill - Jones hopes his father will have the opportunity to see the play that was informed by his life.

I hope many other people will get to see the play, as well, and have an opportunity to experience Jones' vision.  To learn more about EMANCIPATION and buy tickets to what is sure to be a unique, thrilling and powerful theatrical experience - cllick HERE

~ See You On The Aisle