An alliance of regional arts collaboratives, churches and other community organizations have combined to support a free performance of "Black and Blue," which explores the complex relationship between the African-American community and the police.
Authored and directed by Lee Patton Chiles, who has guest taught in Webster University playwriting classes, the free May 22 performance also includes acting by Webster University faculty member Garrett Bergfeld, who is a Webster Groves resident and an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences in Webster’s College of Arts & Sciences.

The performance will be held at 3 p.m. in the Webster Groves High School Auditorium at 100 Selma in Webster Groves.
Gitana Productions is presenting the play with partial funding from the Regional Arts Commission and the Missouri Arts Council.
Additional supporting organizations include the St. Louis American, Art Works, National Endowment for the Arts, Arts and Education Council, Harris-Stowe State University, The Ethical Society of St. Louis, Webster Groves Christian Church, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Christ Lutheran Church, Sisters CARE (Christians Advocating Racial Equality), and the Alliance for Interracial Dignity, whose leadership includes Webster Groves School District superintendent Sarah Riss.

Patton Chiles developed the script based on interviews with police officers, protesters and members of the African-American community after the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, and the events that followed.
Webster Groves Police Capt. Stephen Spear will be a member of a panel after the show, along with local clergy.

Though the performance is free, donations are encouraged. Read more background about the production and Bergfeld’s involvement in this story in the Webster-Kirkwood Times.
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WEBSTER UNIVERSITY © May 2016