NYU Skirball Center show to use blackface
It’s meant to confront audience members about racism
A show opening at the Skirball Center this week is raising eyebrows.
From Wednesday to Friday, Skirball will be hosting a series of performances of Donald Byrd’s The Minstrel Show Revisited.
According to the Skirball site, the show is a 2 hour and 20 minutes dance piece that confronts audience members about racism.
However, the show’s use of blackface to confront the issue is causing concern among some students.
An NYU student who asked to remain anonymous said: “As a Black student of New York University, even after having read the reviews, I am utterly APPALLED that after several requests, and the rightful canceling of a show that depicted yellow face, that this minstrel is still allowed on this campus. I feel disrespected and unsafe. Thank you. Thank you for showing me just how LITTLE you care about your Black students, and how they and their histories and issues are represented.”
The show’s listing says: “By using the conventions of the 19th Century Minstrel Show, including the once common tradition of ‘black face,’ Byrd and his remarkable dancers confront audiences with the past and present manifestations of racism and perpetuation of stereotypes embedded in American culture and tradition.”
On opening night, there will be a pre-show discussion with Tisch professor Matthew Morrison about the history of blackface.
Following the performance will be a post-show discussion between BSU President Arielle Andrews and the choreographer Donald Byrd.
The last two performances will also have pre- and post-show discussions, but with various faculty members involved in Black cultural studies.
Photo Credit: Skirball
General admission costs between $30 to $55 to see the show, but NYU students will receive a discount putting ticket prices between $15 and $45.