Black When I Was a Boy

Studio C Artists
6448 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles

Black When I Was A Boy is an honest, moving and even humorous look at a complex, fascinating and powerful coming of age story. It's Cooper Bates' autobiographical recollection of the extraordinary inner life of his younger self - Frankie Bates, who grew up as the only Black child in a small Caucasian community in Kansas (population 1,500). He never saw himself as Black, until he was cast as Nigger Jim in the school production of Huckleberry Finn in 6th grade. Ages 13+

Thru - Jun 24, 2018

Black When I Was a Boy Reviews

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Stage Raw - Recommended

"...As the show goes on, Bates segues into his middle and high school years, discussing sex, sports, and partying, all of which are intersected with race. The culmination of this collection of memories is a particularly ugly incident at a gas station in a neighboring town, where he narrowly escapes a bat-and-crowbar-wielding lynch mob with the help of a cowboy friend of his. Though the show takes a little while to hit its stride, possibly because the chronology of events at times feels too comprehensive, Bates's energy and toothy smile are endearing. And as the 'cuts' he experiences begin to mount, we increasingly feel the pain he carries with him."

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- Mayank Keshaviah

Black When I Was a Boy at Studio C Artists