!["August Wilson, T. Thomas Fortune and Gentrification Then & Now" at Two River Theater on July 10](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2019/TwoRiverLogo.jpg ""August Wilson, T. Thomas Fortune and Gentrification Then & Now" at Two River Theater on July 10")
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater will present its second annual one-day professional development program for educators on Wednesday, July 10 from 9:30am-4:30pm. “August Wilson, T. Thomas Fortune and Gentrification Then & Now” is being presented as a collaboration between Two River Theater and the T. Thomas Fortune Foundation, in compliance with the New Jersey Amistad Commission.
This special one-day program will be led by Two River’s Literary Manager, Taylor Barfield, and distinguished historian Dr. Walter Greason (Honors School, Monmouth University, and author of six critically acclaimed books). The keynote address will be given by Stephanie James Harris, PhD, Executive Director of the Office of the New Jersey Amistad Commission Team.
Nine out of 10 plays in August Wilson’s famed American Century Cycle take place in a 1.4 square mile neighborhood in Pittsburgh called the Hill District. “Over the course of the Cycle, Wilson exhibits the breadth of change that occurred in neighborhoods like the Hill District across the urban north in the 20th century,” notes Barfield, who will discuss how Wilson engages with topics of gentrification, community, and erasure and how his plays can spark dialogue in both the classroom and civic spheres.
Greason will explore gentrification in Red Bank (where T. Thomas Fortune lived from 1901-1915) during the 20th century, ‘opportunity zone’ policies, and current shifts in attitude regarding neighborhood revitalizations. “Gentrification in Red Bank reflected national patterns of racial segregation after 1945,” says Greason. “The local opportunity to integrate disappeared as white and black residents abandoned the West Side after 1970. Today, we have an opportunity to reverse this tradition of ongoing discrimination.”
During the lunch break, teachers in attendance will be given a tour of the National Historic Landmark, the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, by Gilda Rogers, vice-president of the T. Thomas Fortune Foundation.
Participating educators will earn seven hours of Professional Development credits that will be presented by Dr. Stephanie Harris.
To reserve, educators should click here.
This program is free and spots are limited. For more information, visit the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center’s website or the Two River Theater website. Two River Theater is located at 21 Bridge Street in Red Bank, New Jersey.
