By Dave Walsh
Staff Writer

At 7 p.m. Saturday in Fowler Hall in Stewart Center, the Purdue Black Cultural Center's New Directional Players will perform its rendition of Carlyle Brown's "The African Company Presents Richard the III."

The play tells the story of the first black theater company in the United States in 1821.

"I like the play because it has humor in it but it also makes a point," said Matt Dull, a junior in the School of Management and a constable in the play.

The play centers around William Henry Brown, founder of The African Company of New York, who started his company in the pre—Civil War United States. Brown's company became known for its satires of white high society.

"I think the audience will get a laugh out of the play but at the same time get a peek into America during this time period," Dull said.

The play focuses on a small, yet pivotal chapter in the company's history when it faces opposition from a rival theater owner, Stephen Price, who wants to start his production of "Richard the III" when The African Company is in full swing.

"It has a story behind it; it is a part of history. It's not just a fictional play," said Monika Gillis, a freshman in the Schools of Engineering, who plays Sarah in the play.

Throughout the course of the play, the theater company is faced with opposition from Price as well as internal problems within the group.

The play shows how Price used racism and unjust laws to try to close down Brown's theater troupe in an effort to end his competition.

"The purpose behind this play is to get the audience to think beyond the norm and understand that just because others aren't doing it doesn't mean you can't do it," Gillis said.

During the course of the play, Price manages to close down the theater the African Company is performing in; however, his plan backfires and the African Company manages to find a new place to perform their production — right next door to Price's theater.

Price, undaunted, next manages to get most of the actors arrested only to fail once again. In the end the African Company survives the ordeal and begins a new chapter in American theater. They begin writing and producing the first black plays in America

Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for the general public.