February 4, 2005

Wayne State University Department of Theatre Presents the Black Theatre Program Touring Production: The Dream Tunnel

The Black Theatre Program (BTP) will begin its 30th annual tour with The Dream Tunnel written by former BTP director Von Washington (1980-1988) and edited by Fran Washington. The Washington\'s are professional writers and actors who travel throughout the U.S. performing their plays for both young and adult audiences. They have toured with Woodie King\'s National Black Touring Circuit. Von Washington is a professor of Theatre at Western Michigan University. The company will tour The Dream Tunnel at Detroit high schools Wednesday mornings January through April 2005.

Worrying about a school assignment, Sanko goes on a search to locate a positive role model who can show him how to become the man he wants to be. He learns through his Uncle Paul that he can find all the role models he wants by going into \"The Dream Tunnel\", the Underground Railroad, but he\'s warned not to get mixed up with the wrong people. Sanko decides to locate his cousin who escaped from slavery on the Railroad. He goes into the tunnel, with his best friend Kiki watching at the gate for his safe return. During his trip, Sanko meets Harriet Tubman and learns more than he bargained for.

Director Jerry Cleveland (Detroit) continues as WSU\'s BTP director. Cleveland directed Dream on Monkey Mountain last year at Wayne State University\'s historic Bonstelle Theatre. This is the 30th anniversary year of the Black Theatre Touring Company bringing quality theatre to the Detroit and metropolitan area schools. Last year, the group toured with the compelling and highly successful playwright Lawrence Holder\'s Zora Neale Hurston: Queen of the Harlem Renaissance.

The Dream Tunnel is touring at the following Detroit area schools: Corner Stone Middle School, DePorres High School, Dominican High School, Hillside Middle School, Immaculate Conception High School, Lake View High School, Oakwood Middle School, River Rouge, Sacred Heart High School, Salem High School, Western High School.

This production has two touring casts providing multiple opportunities for both casting and audience. Many of the actors play more than one role in the production and will switch accordingly. Cast members include: Michael Anthony Adams (Detroit) as Uncle Paul, Michael Cochran (Detroit) as Uncle Paul, Taurean Hogan (Detroit) as Uncle Paul and a dancer, Damon Moore (Wales) as Sanko, Sam Richardson (Detroit) as Sanko, Janeé Ann Smith (Detroit) as Kiki/Harriett and a dancer, Jaazmine D\'Joni Parker (Ecorse) as Kiki/Harriett and a dancer, Deborah Joy Winans (Detroit) as Kiki/Harriett and a dancer, and George Wagner (Houghton) as a dancer and the production stage manager. The Dream Tunnel also features costume design by Lisa Reed (Detroit), choreography by Taurean Hogan and sound design/consultation by Alicia Pickett-Smythe an alumnus of the Department of Theatre.

The next Black Theatre Program Production at WSU will be the ground breaking Anna Lucasta at the Bonstelle Theatre March 4 - 6 and 11 - 13. The Bonstelle Theatre is located at 3424 Woodward Avenue, one block south of Mack Avenue at Eliot. The box office at the Bonstelle Theatre is open ONLY one hour prior to each performance. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Hilberry Theatre box office at 4743 Cass Avenue or by calling (313) 577-2960. For more information about The Dream Tunnel or the Black Theatre Program please contact Associate Director and Tour Manager DChristy Houston at (313) 577-0768.