Theatre Company Plans “Fences” Production

Organizers Seek African-American Actors to Fill Cast

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Community Theatre is planning a production of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play, “Fences”.

“Fences” is the story of the Maxsons, an African-American family in 1950’s Pittsburgh.

The director, Paul Deaner, wants the production to be as authentic as possible, which means he needs an african american cast to fill the roles.  Deaner knows finding the actors he needs would be difficult up the North Shore.

“Duluth is the market we have to talent search for the show,” said Deaner, the Executive Director of the Lake Superior Community Theatre.  “It’s a big stretch for us, literally in mileage and in a shift in our dynamic of how we’re producing.”

“Fences” was adapted into a movie in 2016, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.  Duluth’s Helen Davis is familiar with “Fences” and was the first one to get information Wednesday.  Davis, who says she acted in high school, hopes to land the role of Rose Maxson.

“I’ve watched the movie over and over again and I feel I can have some compassion with this movie,” said Davis.  “It brings us out for our culture and community to act and it brings out more, so people really understand what “Fences” is about.”

Two more information sessions are scheduled.  The first is Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7p.m. in the Denfeld High School cafeteria.  Another is planned for Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Duluth Neighborhood Youth Services Washington Center.

After the information sessions, Deaner will start contacting prospective actors about actual auditions.