Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2018-02-26

Duration: 01:24:50

Subjects: BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Filmed panel discussions | Arts | Hansberry, Lorraine, 1930-1965 | African American theater

Contributors:

• Littleton-Strieb, Larissa Speaker
• Courtney, Beth Speaker
• Hobdy, Gerri Speaker
• Medlin, Tony Panelist
• Williams, Greg Panelist
• Gyimah, Bea Panelist

This episode of the series “Newsmakers” features highlights from a screening and panel discussion on “Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart” from the PBS series “American Masters” at Baton Rouge Community College on February 26, 2018. Hansberry, the playwright of “A Raisin in the Sun,” was the first African American woman to have her play produced on Broadway. Dr. Larissa Littleton-Strieb, the chancellor of BRCC, and Beth Courtney, the president and CEO of Louisiana Public Broadcasting, first introduce the screening. Gerri Hobdy of BRCC then leads a panel discussion with panelists: Greg Williams, Jr., the executive director of New Venture Theatre in Baton Rouge; Dr. Tony Medlin, a theater professor at BRCC; and Bea Gyimah, an English professor at BRCC. They discuss: their reflections on the documentary; the significance of “A Raisin in the Sun”; African American theater; Hansberry’s other works; the time period in which she lived; and their advice for young artists. They also answer questions from the audience.