LSU Shreveport presenting play written by Mamie Till
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A play about Emmett Till that features a local cast will soon take place at a university in Shreveport.
Vincent Williams will direct 'The Face of Emmett Till,' which Emmett's mother Mamie Till-Mobley and playwright David Barr III co-wrote together.
14-year-old Emmett was killed in Money, Mississippi in 1955 while visiting from Chicago. He was brutally murdered after he allegedly whistled at a young white woman.
Emmett's mother Mamie had an open-casket funeral for young Emmett because she wanted 'the world to see' what Emmett looked like after being beaten in a barn, shot, and thrown into the Tallahatchie River. Mamie's decision to have the open-casket funeral became a catalyst for the civil rights movement.
Dr. Kenna Franklin, Assistant Professor and Associate Vice Provost for Community Engagement at LSU Shreveport, said the play tells the story of Emmett Till and the aftermath, maybe with a different angle of appreciating the facts than what's in most history books.
'What I want students to walk away with was that Emmett Till was 14 years old, and he had nothing beyond that,' said Franklin. 'These students have everything in front of them. (Till) has sponsored your ability to dream big, and I hope they do dream big.'
'The Face of Emmett Till' is free to attend and will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 26 at the LSUS Theatre.
LSU Shreveport's Office of Community Engagement is sponsoring the performance, which Caddo Parish High School students will have the opportunity to see. A luncheon for the students will follow the play.
Franklin said she wants to assure high school students that LSUS represents a place that can take them from where they are to where they want to be professionally.
'Opportunity and access exist right here,' Franklin said.
The play will take place at LSU Shreveport Theatre on Feb. 26 at 10:00 a.m. Admission is free.
For more information, contact LSUS at (318) 797-5084.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Speakeasy mystery to kick off NSU's Summer Dinner Theatre
NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Northwestern State University's Summer Dinner Theatre will present 'I Love You to Death: A Speakeasy Mystery.' Grammy winner Chubby Carrier to talk zydeco at free event The dinner theatre shows will be in a different location this year due to the current system remodel of A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. 'This has allowed us to take a different approach to the show,' said Director Robert Richoux. 'The show will take place at The Venue on Front Street, which means there is no stage, and the cast will be in and out of the audience to make you feel even more connected and immersed in the world of the play.' 'I Love You to Death: A Speakeasy Mystery' was written by Robert J. Leblanc. 'In the play, a boxer, a gangster, a rival, a tortured vaudevillian, a woman on the prowl, and a pair of star-crossed lovers enter the Irish Lyon Social Club. Who will leave the speakeasy alive? The jazz plays, illegal liquor flows, and the bodies and suspects start piling up in this tale of crooked deals, jilted lovers, betrayal, and mayhem. Try to pin the suspect with the crime to find out who did the deed in 'I Love You to Death,'' a press release stated. NSU Theatre and Dance students land summer roles nationwide The cast includes: Siobhan Delaney – Halle Ortego of Lake Charles Iva Delaney – Shay Beatty of Shreveport Romeo Montano – Tyler Sibley of Alexandria Teresa Capo – Angel-Lena Wade of Colfax Sean 'The Lion' Delaney – Jezek Maxwell of Longview, Texas 'This show was chosen because of the venue,' said Richoux. 'I wanted The Venue on Front Street to take on the role of the scenery, and this will allow you to really feel like you are in a speakeasy. The show is very funny, the cast is going to be amazing, and we want you to have a great time with us.' NSU honors Dr. Karl Carpenter for 45-year career in education Shows will be performed from June 17 to 21 and June 24 to 28 at The Venue on Front Street, 530 Front St. in Natchitoches. Dinner and the show start at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available at To learn more, call 318-357-4483. The Summer Dinner Theatre's next show will be 'A Fifties Doo-Wop Snapshot,' which will be performed from July 22 to 26 and July 29 to August 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Shreveport Native headlines two cultural events
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Shreveport's own international R&B and pop recording artist Adreana is making major waves this summer. She is set to headline not one but two of the city's biggest cultural events. She also released a new single on Friday, titled 'Convenient.' Adreanna was also named one of Shreveport's 50 under 50 in the arts and entertainment category. Shreveport's 'Art•ish event highlights diverse Black artists The Bossier Arts Council Artini event will take place on Saturday, June 14th, and Juneteenth's Art-ish Black Festival will follow on June 15th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Celebrate Juneteenth with Black-owned food trucks
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — If you are searching for some Black-owned food trucks to celebrate Juneteenth, look no further than this upcoming event, Black Food Truck Night. Hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce (SBAACC), the event will celebrate culture, community, and cuisine, featuring DJ Static Shock to keep the energy moving. On Thursday, June 19th, SBAACC invites the community to 'enjoy some of the best local Black-owned food trucks, music, and vibes as we honor freedom and flavor.' Smoking Oyster Prayer in a Pot Louisiana Smokehouse Rajin Cajun Niema Cookery Corner (Winner featured on Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay) A Snacktivity Shreveport's 'Art•ish event highlights diverse Black artists Their event will take place at the Louisiana Daiquiri Cafe, located at 1881 Texas Avenue, Shreveport, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. According to the poster, it is presented by SBAACC and FAR Development Foundation, sponsored by State Farm Agent Katrina Worsham, State Senator Sam Jenkins, and the Power Coalition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
