Fort Scott– A reader’s theatre production entitled “I Rise” will be a feature of the 4th annual Gordon Parks Celebration, slated for October 3-6, 2007. The production will be directed by Patty LaRoche, Speech and Theatre instructor at Ft. Scott High School.

Tryouts for reading parts are Thursday, August 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Gordon Parks Center at FSCC, located in the Academic Building. Casting for over 19 speaking parts is open and LaRoche encourages high school and college students as well as community members to try out for a part. Reading scripts will be available at audition.

The play, which was compiled and edited by Professor Richard Emanuel of Alabama State University, documents the pivotal people, places and events that make up the civil rights movement. The production is a tapestry of historical facts, poetic expressions, songs and personal testimonies that would help illustrate the commitment and sacrifice many have made for civil rights.

According to Gordon Parks Center Director Jill Warford, the play will be performed during the 4th annual Celebration on Thursday evening, Oct. 4th. There may also be sections of the play performed for students during the daytime. “‘I Rise’ is a wonderful script and I know people will enjoy it. It is a great overview of the Civil Rights Movement and how it began. It fits with the Celebration well because Gordon Parks was so heavily involved in chronicling Civil Rights through his photographs.”

For more information contact Warford at 223-2700, ext. 515 or by email at jillw@fortscott.edu.