Documentary celebrates playwright Lorraine Hansberry
The extraordinary life of Lorraine Hansberry, the activist and writer of “A Raisin in the Sun,” is showcased in the documentary film “Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart,” at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, Downtown, Monday as part of a celebration of Women’s History Month.
The first African-American woman to have a play performed on Broadway, Ms. Hansberry died in 1965, at just 35, but in her life she tackled global issues related to race and human rights, women’s equality, and sexual freedom.
The documentary by Tracy Heather Strain (”Unnatural Causes,” “I’ll Make Me a World”) features Tony winner Anika Noni Rose as the voice of Ms. Hansberry, plus interviews with Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Harry Belafonte and Louis Gossett Jr. and narration by LaTanya Richardson Jackson.
The 7 p.m. event, presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and LakeArts Foundation, includes a post-film panel moderated by Minette Seate that includes the film’s executive producer, Chiz Schultz; Joi Gresham, director of the Lorraine Hansberry Trust; and Caleen Sinnette Jennings, American University professor and playwright (”Queens Girl in Africa”). A reception celebrating the film and the empowerment of women includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres and live music by a female jazz trio.
Tickets are $23.25 at trustarts.org or 412-456-6666.
On Tuesday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the August Wilson Center will host “Writing Your Truth: Playwriting Workshop With Caleen Sinnette Jennings. In the workshop for aspiring and professional writers, playwrights, journalists and literary artists, playwright Jennings will explore how, like Ms. Hansberry, she mined personal diaries, photo albums, interviews and research to write theatrical memoirs.
Workshop participants are encouraged to bring one or two photos of people who have been meaningful in their lives. Writing exercises will lead to monologues to be shared with other participants. The cost of the workshop is $40 at trustarts.org or 412-4716079.