Theater production to explore impact of 1992 LA riots

In Los Angeles in 1992, four police officers who were caught assaulting an African-American motorist were acquitted of any wrongdoing. Hours after the verdicts were announced, outrage and protest turned to violent riots in the streets of south-central LA.

During an upcoming theater production at Grand Valley State University, students will perform testimonials from a collection of approximately 300 interviews obtained from people who experienced the riots firsthand.

Performances of “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992," will take place November 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21, at 7:30 p.m., and November 15 and 22, at 2 p.m. in Louis Armstrong Theatre located in the Performing Arts Center.

“Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992” captures the identities of 36 famous, infamous and anonymous individuals linked to the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict. The show was originally written and performed as a one-woman show by award-winning playwright and actress Anna Deavere Smith, but Michael Mueller, director and visiting professor of theater, said 12 student actors will portray the 36 roles

“The students play multiple characters of different ethnicities and genders, which enables them to confront issues of stereotyping, as well as the characters’ own prejudicial perspectives while finding empathy and understanding through the stories being told,” Mueller said.

Mueller added that he hopes this production transcends the stage to create a broader dialogue about race relations and societal struggles both past and present.

“As a strong advocate for inclusion and equity, I think this production provides GVSU with an opportunity to engage with current societal struggles through the juxtaposition of a pivotal point in American history,” Mueller said. “The largest takeaway I hope our audiences walk away with is the idea that awareness, though important as a first step in the process, is not enough to bring about positive social change.”

This performance utilizes adult language and graphically violent images, and may not be appropriate for younger audiences. Tickets: adults $12; seniors, faculty, alumni and staff $10; students and groups $6.

For more information about this production call the Louis Armstrong Box Office at (616) 331-2300.