Every 28 Hours

10-09-osfAshland, Ore., — The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is working to start a conversation, not just in the Rogue Valley but in the whole U.S.,with a hashtag on social media “Every 28 Hours”

The phrase comes from the contested statistic that an African American is killed by a police officer, security guard or vigilante, almost every day.

“Every 28 hours, every 38 hours, ever 48 hours, how many hours does it need to be for us not to engage in this topic?” said Claudia Alick, OSF Director.

That’s why OSF is performing 72 1-minute plays, to take on the different aspects of this widespread national topic on Monday night.

“We’re in denial about our level of prejudice, and our level of objectification of other.” said Jeannine Grizzard, an actress in the play.

OSF hopes the plays will help not just our community, but others as well, to come together to make a difference, and hopefully create change.

“It is bananas, it’s tremendous to see so many communities across our country mobilize towards this one goal.” said Dawn Williams, one of the play’s directors.

And the Rogue Valley community has already started just that.

“This project has allowed us to collaborate with law enforcement, people in the justice department, the people who are really working hard to make a difference.” said Alick.

Though the show highlights a heavy topic – OSF is getting creative with the conversation.

“There’s no ethnicity in theater, there’s only the story of our common humanity.” said Grizzard.

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