Skip to Main ContentSearch Site
Top

Art imitates society’s current climate in CCRI Players’ production of Detroit ‘67

April 29, 2021

The Community College of Rhode Island Players conclude their 2020-21 season this week with a virtual production of Detroit '67, a powerful look at the impact of the infamous race riots that shook the city of Detroit in the summer of 1967.

Directed by Alexis Ingram, a Teaching Artist at The Gamm Theatre in Warwick, Detroit '67 premiers Thursday, April 29 via ShowTix4U with a 7:30 pm show, followed by additional 7:30 pm performances on Friday and Saturday in addition to a pair of 2 pm matinees Saturday and Sunday.

Written by American playwright and award-winning actress Dominique Morisseau, Detroit '67 tells the story of conflicting siblings, Chelle and Lank, who, amidst the riots that defined the period known as the “long, hot summer of 1967,” convert their basement into a small, private nightclub to make ends meet, but struggle with racial tension and economic instability. When a mysterious woman finds her way into their lives, the siblings clash over more much more than the family business. 

Their pent-up frustration inevitably erupts, coinciding with the escalating hostility between black residents of Detroit and the city’s police department that led to one of the bloodiest incidents of 1967. The Detroit riot lasted from July 23–28, resulting in more than 7,200 arrests.

Detroit ’67 has won numerous awards, including the 2014 Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History. The Players' rendition of Detroit '67 stars Nyah Price as Chelle, Eddy Tavares as Lank, Abbey Pezza as Caroline, Jacob Scott as Sly, and Dinorah Best as Bunny.

Morisseau’s play remains relevant and poignant as ever in today’s current social climate; the ongoing wave of civil and political unrest over the past year has resulted in nationwide protests against systemic racism. The parallel between what happened in the summer of 1967 – most of which occurred at the height of the country’s civil rights movement – and incidents that have occurred in various cities in states since the spring of 2020 is noteworthy in the Players’ depiction of Detroit ’67.   

“I’ve never connected to a play so much before. It was super difficult to execute, but thrilling,” said Tavares, a Pawtucket native. “I’m happy to be a part of this.”

“This play really reflects these times, even though it's set in the ‘60s,” added Best, a Providence native who also starred in the Players’ production of The Shadow Box and Unity Poem: The Past, Present, and Future. “I'm honored to bring to light issues and cycles that need to be addressed through theater.”

The Players performed four virtual plays during the 2020-21 season, a schedule that also included a performance by guest artist and renowned Providence poet Christopher Johnson entitled Invoice for Emotional Labor, which premiered April 8.

Share this story

Latest News

CCRI, Partnership for Rhode Island join forces to launch innovative work-based learning program

CCRI, Partnership for Rhode Island join forces to launch innovative work-based learning program

June 27, 2024

The college is collaborating with the Partnership for Rhode Island to join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Employer Provided Innovation Challenges (EPIC) Network, allowing students in communications and business programs to get hands-on experience working with statewide industry partners.

Read More

Class of 2022 alum's

Class of 2022 alum's "hunger" for success helps launch a new wellness movement

June 26, 2024

East Providence, RI, native and Class of 2022 graduate Eddy Vieira is the brains behind brains behind Hunger Breeds Success and Success Loves Consistency, the motto of his recently-launched apparel brand and lifestyle movement that is making waves on social media.

Read More

Theater professor Clement premiers next installment of his semi-autobiographical trilogy

Theater professor Clement premiers next installment of his semi-autobiographical trilogy

June 26, 2024

More than a year after launching his first original play, Theater professor and director Ted Clement is back with the second installment of his semi-autobiographical trilogy, The Other, written by Clement and directed by longtime colleague and CCRI alumnus David Valentin.

Read More

Employee Spotlight: Maya Geraldo

Employee Spotlight: Maya Geraldo

June 19, 2024

With a nomination from Interim President Rosemary Costigan, Maya was recently honored as one of Providence Business News’ 40 Under Forty for 2024, an annual awards program that recognizes young leaders based on their career success and involvement within their communities.  

Read More

Spring 2024 Dean's List

Spring 2024 Dean's List

June 03, 2024

Students enrolled in a degree program who have completed 12 credits with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher this semester with no grade lower than “C” are eligible for this scholastic honor.

Read More

CCRI among Rhode Island schools supported by Ørsted's proposed $5.5M Starboard Wind project

CCRI among Rhode Island schools supported by Ørsted's proposed $5.5M Starboard Wind project

May 31, 2024

Rhode Island’s offshore wind leader Ørsted announced higher education grant commitments totaling $5.5 million as part of its proposed Starboard Wind project, including a proposed $2 million to the Community College of Rhode Island.

Read More

CCRI launches its first Cannabis Training Program to meet workforce demands in fast-growing industry

CCRI launches its first Cannabis Training Program to meet workforce demands in fast-growing industry

May 29, 2024

With jobs in the cannabis industry nearly doubling in Rhode Island between 2022 and 2023, the Community College of Rhode Island is launching its eight-week Cannabis Training Program through the Division of Workforce Partnerships.

Read More

Torsiello's 'beautiful life' leads her to the commencement stage as CCRI's 2024 student speaker

Torsiello's 'beautiful life' leads her to the commencement stage as CCRI's 2024 student speaker

May 15, 2024

Meet Marissa Torsiello, a 30-year-old West Hartford, CT, native and Providence, RI, resident, who will deliver this year's address to the Class of 2024 following a near-decade long journey through healthcare providers and hospitals while battling a rare genetic disorder that left her unable to pursue her college education.

Read More

CCRI Foundation and Alumni Association elects two new members to its Board of Trustees

CCRI Foundation and Alumni Association elects two new members to its Board of Trustees

April 26, 2024

The CCRI Foundation and Alumni Association have elected Sergio Sousa, Regional Vice President of Marketing for Ballys Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort and Ballys Tiverton Casino & Hotel to the Alumni Association Assembly, and Rhode Island attorney, Rebecca E. Dupras, Esq., of Dupras Law, to the Board of Trustees.

Read More

CCRI Players close out the semester with production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

CCRI Players close out the semester with production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

April 24, 2024

Written in 1967 by Clark Gesner, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a musical based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his comic strip Peanuts – a perfect opportunity for the Players to end the year on a light-hearted note following a stretch of heavy, thought-provoking performances dating back to 2021.

Read More

Broadway tour members visit Providence Campus next week to discuss life on the road

Broadway tour members visit Providence Campus next week to discuss life on the road

April 17, 2024

Students interested in a career in performing arts will have a unique opportunity next week to learn about life on the road from two well-traveled industry experts, Jay Carey and Christopher DeAngelis from the Broadway musical Company, during a free Q&A session at CCRI’s Providence Campus Theatre on Wednesday, April 24 at 4 pm.

Read More

First cohort of trainees graduates CCRI's GWO-certified Basic Safety Training program

First cohort of trainees graduates CCRI's GWO-certified Basic Safety Training program

April 11, 2024

Thirty-nine local residents are the first to complete the Global Wind Organisation (GWO)-certified Basic Safety Training curriculum at the state’s only offshore wind safety training center and are prepared to continue building fulfilling careers in America’s fast-growing offshore wind sector.

Read More

Class of 2022 grad Tavares gains acceptance into prestigious Juilliard School to pursue acting

Class of 2022 grad Tavares gains acceptance into prestigious Juilliard School to pursue acting

April 01, 2024

Less than a year after wrapping up a life-changing fellowship with The Gamm Theatre, 22-year-old Pawtucket, RI, native and Class of 2022 graduate Eddy Tavares is one of only a small percentage of applications who were accepted into Juilliard's four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Drama beginning in the Fall of 2024.

Read More

Unwilling to give up her dream, New Century Scholar Grace pursues a career in Archaeology

Unwilling to give up her dream, New Century Scholar Grace pursues a career in Archaeology

March 28, 2024

After an on-again, off-again journey to further her education, West Warwick, RI, native Kelly Grace earned the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society's 2024 New Century Transfer Scholarship for the state of Rhode Island, awarding her $2,250 toward her pursuit of a career in Archaeology.

Read More

CCRI earns Military Friendly® School designation for the third year in a row

CCRI earns Military Friendly® School designation for the third year in a row

March 27, 2024

The Community College of Rhode Island has been named a 2024–25 Military Friendly® School by VIQTORY, a data-driven military company that helps connect the military community to civilian employment.

Read More

Upcoming Events