Nov. 30, 2023
As part of the Artist in Residence program, University of Missouri theater students recently received a visit from famous playwright, poet, actor, director and producer, Keenan Scott II. Scott held an interactive session where he answered students’ questions and participated in a post-show discussion after the sold-out opening night performance of “Thoughts of a Colored Man.”
"The week I spent as a resident artist at Mizzou was truly amazing,” Scott said. “Being able to immerse myself in the community and discuss the artistic process with faculty and students was an experience like no other.”
Originally from Queens, New York, Scott's work has been workshopped and produced at notable theaters such as National Black Theater, New York Theater Workshop, Arena Stage and Woolly Mammoth.
After years of readings, workshops and independent shows, “Thoughts of a Colored Man” made its commercial world premiere at Syracuse Stage during their 2019-20 season. It transferred to Baltimore Center Stage to finish its regional run before settling at the Golden Theater during the 2021-22 Broadway season, where Scott made his writing and unconventional acting debut.
Through the storytelling style of slam narrative, “Thoughts of a Colored Man” celebrates the hopes, ambitions, joys and triumphs of Black men in a world that often refuses to hear them.
Financial assistance for this project has been provided by MU’s Artist in Residence program.
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