BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – A reiteration of a familiar story is coming to a theater in Baton Rouge. This time in the form of an opera.
Over the years, you may have seen it, read about it in a textbook, or heard the story of Emmett Till. The writer and director of this project says until recently Black creators have not filled this space. And this time around, he’s adding two major scenes to the production.
Emmett Till was a 14-year-old Black boy who was abducted, tortured, and lynched in Mississippi back in 1955. The crime occurred after he was accused of offending a white woman, Carolyn Bryant, by whistling at her in their family’s grocery store.
“The original opera when I did it in 2008, I avoided putting in the scene where Emmett was abducted from his home and killed. I just – emotionally couldn’t handle it. But, when people observed the opera, they said something was missing. And what was missing… was that scene,” said Charles Lloyds Jr., Opera Composer and Professor of Music at Southern University.
Composer Charles Lloyd Junior, a professor at Southern University, is adding a musical element to this piece of history.
Lloyd says recently, it’s become “popular” for Blacks to write operas. He says people can expect to hear gospel, folk, and spiritual music.
“What I love about singers, in particular, is that their instrument is in their body. So when they take a breath and start to sing, they’re immediately connected to their emotions,” said Lloyd.
Richard Hobson is the director of this production. He’ll also be playing Emmett’s uncle in the opera.
He says although some parts may be difficult to watch, it will still be enjoyable for all.
“Some of the music Mr. Lloyd has written is so beautiful that you find yourself almost to the verge of tears. But as an actor, you have to be able to collect yourself and present the performance to the public,” said Hobson.
This production features students and faculty from Southern University along with professional actors from across the country.
Lloyd hopes to bring new light and understanding to a tragic story that’s been shared for nearly 70 years.
“Even though it’s a tragedy. What happened to him was awful. But beyond that, he was very well-loved. His family loved him, and he was supported,” said Lloyd.
Hobson says to expect to learn about things you don’t often hear or read about.
“We have not really overcome. You know, we’re trying, but so I think we’re still struggling and striving. So I think people will see how much things maybe have not changed,” said Hobson.
Lloyd hopes this project will spark new conversations that leads to change.
“History is important and… we learn from history, and we shouldn’t run away from it,” said Lloyd.
Both the writer and director hope to take this project on the road in the near future. But, that can only happen with the support of the Baton Rouge community. The opera is being shown on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. For more information on times, tickets, and locations, you can visit The Manship Theatre website.
The Manship Theatre is offering student and senior citizen discounts for this production. This is a two-show production. Opening night is Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. Thursday night is the last show.
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