IPAL presents ‘Raisin in the Sun’

Published 2:00 pm Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Director Phanat Xanamane said this was his first time directing a play, but he had been eager to do an IPAL play for more than two years.

From the start, Xanamane said he had a mission with the production he would come to direct: diversifying the IPAL roster.

After living out of state for several years, Xanamane recalled seeing at IPAL a Rogers and Hammerstein classic set in the South Pacific islands during World War II.

“At that time I just wanted to do this play to help with diversity. The first show I saw when I moved back was ‘South Pacific’ at IPAL. I thought it was great, but I also thought ‘there’s no Asian actors,’ ” Xanamane said, laughing.

That mission led to another IPAL first. “A Raisin in the Sun” is the first IPAL production with a majority black cast.

“Once I started helping out with other productions, I found out about the challenges they (IPAL) had with trying to get more diversity and I wanted to help out with that,” Xanamane said.

Xanamane had to go outside the usual IPAL talent pool to find those actors. All of the actors and actresses performing are IPAL newcomers, Xanamane said.

Some of the actors, like Franklin-native Kirk Dunbar, have never even acted before. Dunbar said he had previously taken acting classes, but this will be his first production.

Dunbar’s big break came when he was in the audience during IPAL’s “Hairspray.” After approaching Doc Voorhies, Dunbar said, he found out about the upcoming play and decided to take a chance.

“I’m nervous and excited. It feels great so far,” Dunbar said.

Xanamane said following the play will be a “Talk Back” with Caryn Winters, Ph.D.

“I think this will open a lot of doors in the community. I’ve had people call me and say ‘Someone told me to call you because I’m interested in starting a performance arts group in New Iberia.’ I tell them that there’s one over here already and they’re actually doing “A Raisin in the Sun.”

They’ll tell me ‘Yeah that’s great, but that’s their theater.’ It’s not. It’s the community’s theater. So I hope this reaches everyone in the community so they know this is their space and they can tell their stories here,” Xanamane said.

“A Raisin in the Sun” will be the first play of the 2015-16 season, and will run Sept. 10-20. Curtain will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays for the next two weeks.