By Michael Buzzelli
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
-James A. Baldwin
Madison & Taylor College President Woods (Stacey Rosleck via video) welcomes incoming freshmen, Makeda (Marissa Lily) and Xavier (Manny Waker), to the Black Excellence Scholarship program, wherein the two meet the remaining members of the program in a room at the student union in Ty Greenwood’s “Paradox of Education.”
Madison & Taylor College is a thinly veiled reference to Greenwood’s alma mater, Washington & Jefferson College (think: “If Beau Street Could Talk”).
Ebony (Krystal Waller), president of the student group, wants her other members, Miles (Amon Jamaal), Zara (Tajinna Clinton), and Emmerson (Brenden Peifer), to be on their best behavior when meeting the new kids. Miles and Zara want to warn the incoming frosh that the college made a lot of false promises, such as the benefits and amount of the scholarship, the school’s rampant racism, and the racism in the surrounding community. Most of the promises came from a campus Administrator (Melissa Edmond), who is the queen of microaggression. She says a few things out loud that would make your average Karen cringe, including “Have you ever read a philosophy book?”
Emmerson struggles with his status as a mixed-race kid, while Zara, Miles, and Ebony dismiss his problems because he’s light-skinned (Colorism). Meanwhile, Emmerson confesses to the Administrator that he doesn’t feel wholly comfortable in Black or white spaces.
When a tragedy happens on campus, the students have to grapple with their feelings over the inherent racism and their own prejudices.
The play is superbly and authentically acted. At times, the dialogue feels real, as if each actor is having the thought out loud for the first time.
Waller’s Ebony leads this small army of freedom fighters. Waller manages to find the wisdom and grace in her character. She commands herself like the leader Ebony is meant to be.
Peifer always enchants. He is likable and charming even when his character is saying the wrong thing. His charm makes the event that leads to the second act (no spoilers) even more tragic.
Walker is restrained here. His Xavier has an arc. He goes from timid newcomer to strident supporter of causes.
Carter’s Zara is the most difficult character to like. She is played with an almost sociopathic lack of empathy, but when Carter nails a monologue about death, you can see that her character’s emotional distance is a protective device. The actor finds beauty in the cracks.
Lily’s Makeda has an epic Slam Poetry moment about her hair. She is also the emotional heart of the story, leading with compassion.
Jamaal plays Miles as an affable student. His best scene is in his reactions to Edmond’s Administrator as she continues to subtly and not-so-subtly put him in a narrow, Black box.
The cast is completed by Rosleck, Charles Timbers, Jr., and Richard McBride, appearing in recorded voices and video, but not on the actual stage.
Producing Artistic Director Mark Clayton Southers also designed the set, which looks as if it were plucked from an august university and dropped into the Madison Arts Center.
Director Maurice Redwood is an impressive leader. He gets convincing performances from each actor. The play is infused with youthful vitality. Redwood also shot and directed the video transitions, intermingling shots of the real, predominantly white institutions (PWIs) and their mostly white students.
Greenwood’s play wrestles with serious issues, a tragic turn, and some divisive opinions. While the play could use a little more dramaturgy and editing, the subject matter is more relevant than ever. Greenwood’s play may be preaching to the choir, but the message is still important. “Paradox of Education” is thought-provoking and emotional.
To quote Redwood, “This powerful, thought-provoking production follows six Black students navigating life at a predominantly white institution, confronting the realities of race, identity, and belonging. It’s raw. It’s honest. It’s necessary.”
-MB
“Paradox of Education” runs until April 20 in the Carter Redwood Theater, inside the Madison Arts Center, 3401 Milwaukee Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. For tickets and additional information, click here.
