Leading role

Oklahoma City playwright J. LaMont Thomas’ play “Shame” will conclude the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival on Saturday.

When Oklahoma City playwright J. LaMont Thomas wrote his play “Shame,” he said he hoped his production would add an element that he says is often missing from theater — a strong, leading black male. “Many times you see plays where the focus is a strong auntie, or a Madea-like character and the black men are often portrayed as cheaters, or absent fathers,” said Thomas, 33. “You don’t always see strong male leads with positive male roles. It should be common, but it’s not.

“I wanted to specifically write about men and what they go through and show healthy relationships,” he said.

Thomas’ play will do just that when it concludes the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival on Saturday. “Shame” follows the life of Clyde, a foster child living in Arizona. He is about to move to New York to live with his brothers from whom he has been separated for 14 years. Thomas said the 90-minute play looks at the importance of relationships among brothers and black men, something he can relate to and feels his audience will be able to, as well.

“I grew up with three brothers and a father in the home,” Thomas said. “This is what Clyde has longed for — what I had.”

ThisisnotthefirsttimeThomas has brought “Shame” to life. He wrote “Shame” in 2012 as a church play. In 2016, the play received productions across Oklahoma City. Thomas was then ready to take it to a bigger stage and applied for the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival that year, but was denied. He reapplied for the 2018 festival.

“My family didn’t even know I applied again,” he said. “I just really wanted to expose the cast to a new audience, and I think it’s a story people can relate to.”

Several members of the 11-person cast are returning, including Thaddeus Johnson, who recently demonstrated his singing skills on “American Idol.” Johnson is a primary vocalist in “Shame,” which has both a dramatic and musical element.

“It’s the actual drama of a play, but also showcases the musicality of vocalists, as well,” Johnson said.

Johnson, who has been with the production since its inception, said he loves that the play showcases rarely seen sides of black men.

“I’ve seen it really touch people on a personal level,” he said. “I’m honored to be part of this. It allows people to open their minds to a new perspective.”

Assistant director Danielle Adams said the play is beautiful, and she hopes people view it with a different lens and to see how important fathers are in boys’ lives and how important relationships are among black men.

“It’s an eye-opener into things we deal with as a culture,” she said.

Thonie Lee, who plays the lead role of Clyde, said the audience will not be alone in feeling the impact of “Shame.” The San Diego, California-based actor said this was the first play that took him to a different level as an actor.

“It really grew me,” he said. “It definitely made me step up my game.”

Thomas said he’d like to reintroduce “Shame” in Oklahoma City before the end of the year. As he gears up for the festival, he said he’s less concerned about winning any accolades at the event, and more focused on the audience enjoying his work.

“I want them to be inspired and inspire some change in their