Black Experience Takes To Center Stage

KINGSMAN, Friday, March 1, 1974

By Stu Brynien

Dedication to the improvement of the world is an admirable quality in any man.  Dr. Scott Kennedy, distinguished member of the BC Theatre Department, seeks to improve the world in the field in which he is eminently qualified, communications.  His efforts have carried him to many continents, where he has persued his major interest, Black Theatre.

Dr. Kennedy, who has earned a Bachelor’s and then a Master’s degree and finally a Doctorate in Communications from N.Y.U., has recently returned from his latest trip to Australia, where he succeeded at forming Black Theatre groups.  The major factor in how well a country receives Black Theatre, he pointed out, is simply that country’s “concept of people.”

The outspoken professor offered his views on theatre in general.  “Theatre is the universal activity of man; the universal expression of man.”  He emphasized the importance of the meaning of Black Theatre: “Black Theatre is an expression and communication of the Black experience.”

Dr. Kennedy thinks Black Theatre can serve towards easing racial tensions, “Blacks think from a Black viewpoint.  Whites think from a white viewpoint,” he told an Australian newspaper in 1973.  “Much of the misery and ugliness of racial clashes have developed from this failure to understand each other.”

In addition to being a professor at BC, Scott Kennedy is an accomplished author, playwright, director, and actor of stage, television, films, and radio.  His latest book, In Search of African Theatre, published by Charles Scribner’s, is his own account of theatre in Africa, both as observant and participant.  The doctor spent three years in Africa, in which he taught at the University of Ghana and participated in the Ghana Drama Studio.  Part of his work also concerns his own theatre group of which he is founder and director, the Scott Kennedy Players of NYC.  Assisting him with the group-as she does with many of his ventures-is his wife, professional actress Janie Kennedy.

Dr. Kennedy, an easy, friendly, and graciously helpful man, called the so-called “Black exploitation” films “interesting-certainly worthwhile in that they allow Black performers to be in films.”  “But,” he added emphatically, “I would be very pleased to see some historical films on the Black experience.”

Elaborating on this desire, he went on to say that an example of the kind of film he would like to see would be the film about Henri Christophe, King of Haiti, the scenario for which is being worked on now, with Black actor William Marshall being considered for the lead.

Should a white man play King Christophe?  Mentioning that Anthony Quinn may play the part in another production, Kennedy asserted that William Marshall may be better qualified for the part.  “He is equipped as an actor.  He is equipped to present a very fine image for the Black people.”

Concerning the availability of worthwhile roles for Black actors and actresses, Dr. Kennedy met with the same belief he had already emphasized.  “if one dealt with historical roles, there would be no scarcity of roles for capable Black performers.”  He cited The Great White Hope, the film about Black heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson, as one such movie of Black historical significance.

Re-printed for research purposes. Copyright remains with the original holder.