The Collegian

Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: News

Delano Middleton played by SGA President Zachary Middleton is comforted in the infirmary by his mother played by Joy Vaughn

Media Credit: Charlotte Collins The cast of "Taking a Stand" after their opening performance along with [from far left] John Stroman, Cleaveland Sellers and Dr. William Hine [Click to enlarge]

"Taking a Stand" the reenactment of the Orangeburg Massacre opened to a full house at the 3000 capacity Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium on Feb 4.

SC State heroes like John Stroman and Cleveland Sellers were among those in attendance along with expelled Student Government Association President Fred Moore. As SGA president, Moore stood up to the administration of SC State College and suffered the consequences along with 11 others. His bravery was honored in the opening scene of the play with a powerful performance by mathematics major Austin Floyd.

The three and a half hour play, humanized and displayed the personal stories of the not only the three students killed but also one of the police officers that shot them.

Moses O. Bell played a level headed but focused Stroman, Elijah T Corley an aggressive James Davis and Charlie Jones III played a compelling Henry Smith. Samuel Hammond's character played by Lawrence Nelson will surprise audiences as well as the emotion filled performance of SGA President Zachary Middleton as his great uncle Delano Middleton.

The female actresses elevated the play to another level adding emotion through their personal interactions as mothers, girlfriends and participants in the protests.

"It was really enlightening," said social work major Sierra Tintrell. "I watched the Scarred Justice documentation, but this was better than that."

"It was good; it was really really really good," said junior business management major Tyrell Robinson "It was better than I expected. It had all the qualities I wanted to see. I might come back tomorrow."

John Stroman who declined to give a detailed comment on the record said it finally showed who was really involved for the protests.

Not reflected in the play was the participation of Claflin students in the bowling alley protests. Nevertheless, Claflin students were in attendance.

"I thought it was really good," said Brittney Vaughn a sophomore mass communication major from Claflin University. "We've heard the story so many times, but seeing this play put in a new perspective." Her colleague Crystal Williams, a sophomore Sociology major agreed but thought the play could have been shorter.

Written and directed by senior business management major Calhoun Cornwall, "Taking a Stand" is the first reenactment of the Orangeburg Massacre which ended the lives of three students on SC State College campus and wounded 27 others. The play will run until Saturday 5, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium.

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