Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 December 2002 — Page 22

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FROAY, DECEMBER 20,2002

It’s On!

‘As an Act of Protest’

By KAM WILLIAMS

before the release of a movie. Now, we are already beginning to witness the fallout Very recentfy in tbeators, there’s Eminem in "8 Mile," Ja Rule and Kurupt in "Half Past Dead,” Ice Cube and Eve in ”Baibersh(^>,* lee Cube again in TtidayAfter Next,*CamVon, Doug

Samuel L Jackson caught a lot E. Freeh, Damon Dash and S*more of flak a few months ago for stating hi]>-hoppers in 'Paid in FuH,”and drnt be preferred to work with )e- Mos Def Slick Rkk, Big Daddy gitimate actors over rap stars. I Kane andahostofothers in “Brown

don't think that the criticism was Sugar.”

fair because he was essentially Personally, I don\ have a probmerely the messenger in announc- lem with the rappification of the ing an alarming trend that was on movie biz, except to the extent it the way. prevents such an excellent feature The simple point Jackson was like ‘As an Act of Protest” from trying to make is that when the finding distribution, studios opt to place raspers in lead Filmed in Harlem on a shoeroles, it puts legitimate actors out string budget by its writer/direcof work. And Jackson would be tor/co-star Dennis Leroy Moore, one to notice this trend early, obvi- this coming-of-age tale chronicles ously, as someone kept abreast of the carearfrustrahons encountered casting decisions being made way by a couple of film school grads.

Bodi of these gifted youngsters are African American, Cairo (Luis Laporte) an aspiring actor, Abner (Moore) a would-be director. This creatively-inclined pair emerges from die conservatory eager to make an impact, armed with new ideas and a fresh-faced optimism. What a shame that such a sophisticated story could be overlooked by the nugor studios in favor of more of that mass dumbing down. Hie incessant barrage of mindless films like “Friday After Next" don’t giveahintthatamovie like “As an Act of Protest" is even out there. See this movie and you’ll understand why Samuel L. Jackson doesn't want to work with rap stars. For there are already uncompromising Blade actors, writers and directors already collaborating to create movies of far more substance.

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► Contlnutd from Paqt 1 About the author: Wendy Woods Jackson, who now lives in Dallas, was bora in Indianapolis. She attended and graduated from St Monica Catholic School, the former LadywoodSt Agnes Academy and Bennett College in Greensboro, N.G, were she received a BA and B.S. with concentrations in journalism, public relations and mass media. In 2003, she will be a 25-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Her many adventures before settling in the Dallas area was a short stay in the Peace Corps in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. From there, she traveled and freelanced in Miami, California, and Chicago. She had the distinguished honor of working with die late Earnest R. Rather and his book The Chicago Negro Almanac and Reference Guide. She enjoyed a successful 20year career at the Dallas Morning News and wrote the prestigious local advertising column “Shopping the Town.” Married to Wayne Edward Jackson, they are the parents of twin brother and sister Justin Wayne and Jennifer Ruth who are now 41/2 years old.

WISH

► Contlnutd from Pogt 1

“Kenna is able to follow di- doll in her living room. A mouse rections veiy easily and at the and his menacing mice, a same time exhibit a lot of per- sugarplum fairy, a land of snow sonality,” Cunningham said. and candy, a snow king, and a *Duringauditions,rmnotto- prince lead Clara to a happy-ever-

tally looking for baby balleri- after ending.

nas. I'm looking for girls who really act like young and happy girls so when the people in the audience see it, they can iden-

tity with it,” he added.

Across the color spectrum, the cast consists of children of all races.Most notably,young Kenna is the second African-American female to play the role of Clara in

An international holidaytra- Cunningham’s 15-year reign, dition, Hie Nutcracker” baUet “I've had a couple of (Africanis based on a gothic fairy tale American) males play ‘Fritz,’ book written by E.T.A. Clara’s counterpart, too,”

Cunningham said. “When I’m auditioning kids, I look for that diversity for a lot of reasons. I like to mix them up not only to have the opportunity to perform together,

Hoffman, “Hie Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” Choreographed to compositions orchestrated by Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, the ballet first ap-

peared at the Maryinsky The- but to grow as young children and atre in St Petersburg, Russia, be around other kids with differ-

ent backgrounds and cultures.” Kenna said she is pleased to set an example for other African-

American girls.

“Now that I’m ‘Clara’ and I’m African-American it really plays a special role,” she said. “I can set a good example for the next girl

when Clara, in the middle of who wants to play a doll or‘Clara.’ night finds a live nutcracker It’s a good feeling to have.”

on Dec. 17,1892.

The story ofThe Nutcracker” begins on Christmas Eve at the home of Clara and her brother, Fritz. The siblings regal around a Christmas tree until Fritz breaks Clara’s toy nutcracker. A magical escapade takes place

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Happu Holidays

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