Big White Fog
The Department of Theatre Arts wants you to experience the powerful performance of BIG WHITE FOG in the IRA ALDRIDGE THEATER on the campus of Howard University. Preview takes place at 7:00 pm November 6, 2024. Performances take place at 7:00 pm November 7, 8, 9, 13, and 15 2024. Matinee performances take place November 9 and 16, 2024 at 1:00 pm. You can purchase your tickets using this link today!
Our history is with us. We walk on the bones of our ancestors.” ~ Eric Ruffin, Director
Set in Chicago between 1922 and 1932, Big White Fog chronicles the struggles of the Mason family and its patriarch, Victor. Confronting a series of financial and racial crises, Victor tries to keep the family together and instill in its member's race pride and a commitment to the struggle for social and economic justice.
Big White Fog was first produced through by the Chicago Federal Theatre’s Negro Unit in Chicago, Illinois in 1938. The production was staged by director, Kay Ewing. Langston Hughes thought it was the “greatest encompassing play on Negro life that has ever been written.”
“Big White Fog was a prelude to several Black dramas that took up the devastating effects of anti-Blackness and capitalism including Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun and Amiri Baraka’s Dutchman. As a frontrunner, Ward pioneered a genre of plays that demonstrated the various ways that African Americans responded to race and class oppression”” ~ Khalid Y. Long, PhD - Dramaturg
This timely piece is being Directed by Helen Hayes award winner, Eric Ruffin. “Oftentimes when I’m telling stories, I want to acknowledge [our ancestors]. I want them to be present. I want the audience to be sitting next to [them], realizing that we are working in concert with our ancestors.” Destinee Coburn, Lou Taylor, and Kevin Thorne serves as assistant directors on the production.
“What I find beautiful about storytelling that’s written by Black authors for Black communities is that it's written with a love ethic. It's written with medicine. It's written with prescription. It's written with a healing.” ~ Eric Ruffin, Director
The cast includes some of Howard University’s finest players. The cast includes Joshua Leggett as Victor Mason, Nia Potter as Ella Mason, Amauriah “Mars” Davis as Martha Dupree, Kevoy Somerville as Daniel, Tyler “T” Lang as Percy Mason, Diezel Braxton-Lewis as Lester Mason, and Elyse Miller as Wanda Mason.
The design team consists of Kathryn Kawecki and Tiffani Sydnor (co-scenic designers), Brandee Mathies (costume designer), Trinity Joseph (lighting), Rashad Davis (Sound Designer), and Kaitlyn “KD” Dorsey (production stage manager). Properties are being designed by students in the Stagecraft courses within the department.