Director ShaShauna Staton on “Cadillac Crew”
ShaShauna Staton, Director
Cadillac Crew
October 20th - November 26th
When the idea was brought to me to direct a show for the first time, I was reluctant. They say all actors want to be directors, but personally I was not one of them. But then I read this script and all the pictures started to form in my mind. It turns out not only did I want to direct this show, I needed to. This piece is poignant and necessary, and the story is chef’s kiss. I am so grateful that Bernie sees something in me that only my father has seen before. Getting to do this project with my brother Orion Carrington is just the cherry on top.
Why do you think this is a relevant or important play to do?
Throughout history, black women’s contributions to anything in society have always been disregarded and erased. We have continuously been overlooked despite starting and being at the forefront of many movements. This play speaks to that in such a beautiful way and can be received by most people in a way that takes the “angry black woman” trope out of the equation.
What do you hope the audience gets out of it?
It is my sincere hope that the audience does more than watch and listen. I want them to hear the words and absorb some of the history that is behind them. I would love for this to spark conversations and help see the world from a different perspective of understanding. To also look at real history and research instead of relying on the mainstream to give them the information of our history.
What historical context may be helpful to have?
When it comes to this the biggest examples I have of unsung heroes and erasure would be Baynard Rustin, he was a gay black man that basically ran the civil rights movement from the background, being a gay man he couldn’t be the face of the movement, the same applies to Claudette Covin she was Rosa Parks before Rosa Parks, but her story was erased because she was a teenage mother and they didn’t think she could be the face of the movement. Marsha P Johnson that fought for gay and Black rights. There are a lot of stories like this that we will never hear. I implore everyone to look up the amazing contributions of these people although there is 1 in this show you will absolutely learn more about.
What other actions were people taking in 1963 for civil rights?
The 60’s as a whole was a turning point in just about every cause, it was the beginning of desegregation, being out and proud, sit ins, walk outs, marches, women’s rights, voting rights, and just all around being able to live a little bit more without fear. The bulk of these movements were started by Black folks and once again we were erased from the narrative as time went on giving our credit to someone that looks more acceptable to the masses. Here we are 60 years later still fighting these fights, we have lived in a society of breadcrumbs for us to shut up. They sprinkle some hoping that will get us to go away. In 2023 that bread crumb theory is quickly dissipating and now we want all the progress now. We have waited long enough.