21In celebration of Black History Month, acting ensemble Will & Company from Los Angeles will put on a show that highlights overlooked African-Americans who have played a significant role in America’s history.
“Portraits of Courage,” a UO Cultural Forum event, runs Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the EMU ballroom.
Award-winning playwright and diversity expert Colin Cox wrote “Portraits of Courage: African-Americans You Wish You Had Known” after he realized that some very important African-American figures were absent in today’s history textbooks.
Cox wanted his play to “enlighten, encourage and educate a multigenerational and multicultural audience on some of the unsung heroes of African-American history,” according to a press release.
University Contemporary Issues Coordinator Ilie Mitaru, who works on campus to promote and educate students on diversity issues, described some of the merits of bringing the theatrical performance to campus.
“I think there is a lack of diversity on campus,” Mitaru said. “There is a possibility to build a sort of awareness that we are different and we should respect and acknowledge that.”
Mitaru chose “Portraits” because he felt it was important for the Eugene community to learn more about these historic figures and hopes it enlightens the campus community. He believes that “Portraits” successfully combines education with entertainment.
“You won’t find another show that is going to teach you about these sort of things,” Mitaru said.
Will & Company actors Christy Joy Wilson and Will Owen will portray these historical characters in Tuesday night’s 65-minute presentation. Through expressive monologues and words, viewers will be introduced to six historic African-American figures: activist Ida B. Wells, Edison Pioneer Lewis Latimer, commander Colonel Young, entrepreneur CJ Walker, marshal Bass Reeves and Fannie Lou Hamer, who spent her life ensuring other African-Americans that they had the right to vote.
Will & Company’s mantra is “actors reflective of their audience,” and the company hopes to represent the country by promoting and presenting artists of diverse ethnicities, genders, orientations and abilities, according to its Web site. Will & Company was established in 1988 with just four actors and a vision to create a theater for, about and with the diverse people of Los Angeles. The company performs both historical and contemporary works, including a re-take on
Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” turning it into an earthy Native American spirit world set in Sedona, Ariz.
Mitaru hopes that Tuesday night’s performance will bring members of the community together for an exciting and informative event. He believes that a show like “Portraits” is essential in furthering understanding and acceptance of contemporary issues he encounters through his work on campus.
“More and more we have this ageism, sexism, against weight, against height, against disabilities,” Mitaru said. “I try to do as much as I can to choose the shows that are effective to the community.”
Tuesday night’s performance is free and open to the public.

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