In Fall 2008, Crossroads Theatre produced Breath, Boom by Kia Corthron, an African American drama directed by Sandi Zielinski.
Crossroads Theatre Mission Statement
Crossroads Theatre explores the issues and experiences of ethnic minorities in the United States as well as the experiences of international cultures, including those of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Indigenous Peoples of the World (AMALI). One of Crossroads Theatre’s objectives is to promote the production of AMALI scripts within the School of Theatre. We also work to build community awareness and participation in the art of Theatre. Crossroads Theatre strives to develop multicultural audiences for artists who embrace a multicultural vision. Together, artists and audiences can build bridges of better understanding between people of all backgrounds, here at Illinois State University and in the surrounding community.
Another Crossroads objective is to enrich the educational experience of students in the School of Theatre by sponsoring guest artists and scholars whose work coincides with our mission. Past guests have included playwright Regina Taylor and Zen master Shozo Sato.
Crossroads Theatre promotes the highest standards of artistic and creative excellence and is committed to maintaining a viable artistic collaboration between Illinois State University and the Bloomington-Normal community.
Crossroads’ Impact on Diversity
With its growing minority population of African Americans, Latino/Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and Native Americans, the Illinois State University School of Theatre recognizes the need to make a place in its production season for minority playwrights and composers. Since the university’s largest minority population is African American, the School of Theatre has long sought to produce African American playwrights whose works interconnect with other cultures. However, as we have expanded our endeavor, we have produced the works of numerous other minority groups as well.
Crossroads’ Inception
On November 16, 2000, Crossroads Theatre was formally established and introduced to Illinois State University, Bloomington-Normal and the surrounding communities during an Open House and Reception held at the Illinois State University Galleries. More than 200 people were in attendance. Since the Open House, Crossroads Theatre has received great community interest and support.
Crossroads’ Public Outreach and Audience
The School of Theatre and its Illinois Shakespeare Company primarily serve patrons in the Bloomington-Normal area. But we also have made inroads into the Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, Springfield and Peoria markets. During the 2007-2008 Season the School served approximately 30,000 community patrons and 4,000 ISU students. Crossroads Theatre helped reach an even larger audience by developing a special public relations campaign for minority populations in the Bloomington-Normal area. Crossroads Theatre is proud to bring fine dramatic works to audiences who may not normally be exposed to theatre.
Crossroads’ Past Plays and Events
Fall 2007
The Unnatural and Accidental Women by Marie Clements, a Native American drama directed by Deb Alley.
Spring 2007
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom by August Wilson, an African American drama directed by guest artist and alumna Kathyrn Ervin.
Fall 2006
Othello’s Passion: A Kabuki Play, conceived and directed by guest artist Shozo Sato, an internationally renowned Japanese master of Zen arts and visionary theatre director, best known for adapting western classic to the style of Japanese Kabuki theatre.
Fall 2005
Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz, a Hispanic American drama directed by Kathleen Maki.
Fall 2004
Crowns by Regina Taylor, an African American musical drama directed by Leslie Sloan Orr.
Playwright Regina Taylor was Crossroads Theatre’s Minority Guest Artist and Speaker for a School of Theatre Colloquium.
Minority Guest Artist and Lighting Designer Kathy Perkins was also a Crossroads Theatre Guest Speaker for a School of Theatre Colloquium.
2003-2004
Roosters by Milcha Sanchez-Scott, a Hispanic American drama directed by Janet Wilson.
2002-2003
Ain’t Misbehavin’ by Thomas “Fats” Waller, an African American musical directed by Leslie Sloan Orr.
2001-2002
The Piano Lesson by August Wilson, an African American drama directed by Leslie Sloan Orr.
Illinois State University’s Hate Crimes Symposium, sponsored by the ISU College of Fine Arts, the School of Theatre and Crossroads Theatre.
Guest Speaker C.T. Vivian, one of the men in the late Martin Luther King, Jr. ’s inner circle.
The Black Othello Shakespearean Workshop was presented as a collaboration between the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and Crossroads Theatre.
2000-2001
For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange, an African American drama directed by Leslie Sloan Orr.
Contact
For more information on Crossroads Theatre contact:
Leslie Sloan Orr, Ph.D.
Artistic Director and Associate Professor of Playwriting and African American Dramabr
lsorr@ilstu.edu
