Theater Spotlight of the Week: Laterras R. Whitfield

by Shawn Parikh

TeCo Theatrical Productions has incorporated a T-An-T (Teenagers and Theater) performance into their season and this week marks this venture with King Hedley II by August Wilson. Director Latteras R. Whitfield has had much success working as a director and playwright with celebrities, and this week he is doing something different by focusing on the teens.

We begin by discussing his involvement with TeCo and how he became integrated into the T-An-T program. He talks about what attracted him to King Hedley II, how it was chosen as part of the program, and how teens can relate to the piece.

Since the piece is quite heavy, I ask what it was like working with teenagers on such a weighty topic. He talks about the rehearsal process and what was hard and humbling about working with teens, especially some who have never stepped on a stage. He even mentions how much he has learned as a director.

I ask if the piece is aimed at a general audience or solely for teens. Whitfield discusses the parents' feedback since the play has quite a bit of profanity. He says what he wants the audience to walk away with and the strong message it has towards the youth.

King Hedley II is about a petty thief named King who returns after seven years in prison to the devastation of Reaganomics. The play is set in 1985 and tells the story of an ex-con in post-Reagan Pittsburgh trying to rebuild his life. The production runs from April 23 - May 2, and tickets can be purchased online or by calling 214-948-0716.