Photo By: Heather Alleman
The true meaning of home is a question for every soul.
Assistant Professor Quinton Cockrell of Troy University’s Department of Theatre and Dance directed the well-known play “Home” by Samm-Art Williams. The play premiered Feb. 11-13. Cockrell said he was intrigued 15 years ago by a production he saw of “Home,” and he is now thrilled to have finally directed it himself in Malone Hall’s Black Box.
“A journey of a man’s life told in an hour and 15 minutes is a hard thing to do,” Cockrell said.
“Home” tells the story of a man named Cephus Miles and his life, which is filled with controversy. Although the production is open to the public, Cockrell recommends only adults watch this thrilling show.
With only three actors in the play, they all quickly grew together not only as cast mates but also as family.
“I love to work with a small group of actors,” Cockrell said. “My greatest accomplishment is taking my three actors and pushing them farther than they thought they could go in their acting abilities.”
Sophomore Kaitlyn Conway, a theatre major from Prattville, watched the play Monday night.
“I love the different characters telling a story, especially the women playing men’s roles,” she said.
Conway said she was kept on her toes throughout the performance and thought the actors had great comedic timing.
Psacoya Guinn, a junior theatre major from McCalla, played the role of Woman One in “Home,” and her favorite role was Patty May, the girlfriend of Cephus Miles. When asked to summarize the play in a sentence, she said, “It’s a journey.”
“Home” has an all African-American cast, and the women actor’s play several different roles. By changing hats and hair bands, they let the audience know the switches in their character role.
Jacobi W. Hall, a junior theatre major from Huntsville, said his character, Cephus Miles, went through many trials and tribulations. When asked to describe the play in a sentence, Hall said, “ You go through a lot, but in the end it will all work out through livin’ life.”
“Home” brought life circumstances to the edge of the audience’s feet. With biblical references and profound storytelling, the struggling life of Cephus Mile was made clear.
“Every person in the show is someone who the playwright met in real life or knew of,” Guinn said. Knowing the material came from real people made it easier for her to play the roles. Guinn has to change her characters at the drop of a hat.
From the beginning sound of the rooster crow, to young loves being re-united, the play kept all audience members’ full attention. “Home” is truly a magical story told in a little bit over an hour, which is really its most impressive feat.
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