The Department of Theatre and Dance began its four day production of a a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that explores race and the effect that biases have on African American people and other minority groups.

UK’s production of “Fairview” held its opening night on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Briggs Theatre.

The play was written in 2018 by playwright Jackie Sibbles Drury, winning the Pulitzer Prize for drama the following year in 2019. The story follows an African American family preparing for their grandmother’s birthday dinner.

“Fairview challenges the White audiences on their unconscious biases and the bigotry in the world and how that affects minority communities, specifically the Black community,” Jeremy Gillett, assistant professor of acting and director of the play, said.

“Fairview” is Gillett’s second time directing, having previously directed “Black Lives Matter: 1619 to Now,” a documentary drama.

“It’s the tagline, something Black’s happening in the theatre department I’m directing it,” Gillett said.

The challenge the play presents to its white audience, he said, is what makes the play stand out.

“You challenge white people to be accountable to the things that they say, the things that they do and the consequences of their words and their actions,” Gillett said. “Then you challenge your white audiences to acknowledge what has been done and make a decision on if they want to choose to live that way or make space for other minorities.”

The theater was filled for the play’s opening night. Throughout the play, the audience was laughing as much as it was silent.

“It’s what we call a dramedy,” Najiya Clayborn, a junior majoring in arts administration and theatre who plays the role of Beverly, said. “You’re gonna be laughing the whole time, but you’re gonna be shocked as well.”

Clayborn plays Beverly, the mother in the play. She said she wanted to embody her mother to her great-grandmother in her role.

“I was raised by all women,” Clayborn said. “I thought it was very important in this role that I embody an ode to Black women.” 

Gabrielle Copeland, a sophomore majoring in theatre and arts administration, plays the role of Keisha, the daughter of Beverly.

“I’ve never gotten to play a character that was specifically Black,” Copeland said. “That was very new for me, and this was the most dramatic role I’ve ever had to do.”

Copeland said she drew from her own experiences as a Black woman to capture her character’s vulnerability in her pivotal scene. She said it was difficult to prepare for the performance, but that she believed she hit her mark.

“I’m expressing to people how this is hurting me, how the white gaze directly affects me,” Copeland said. “I live in that every day, as a Black woman.”

Clayborn said she believed the play’s message on the white gaze was the most important part of the show.

“Think about who you are, and what role do you play in the white gaze. Even if you’re another minority, what does the white gaze look like to you?” Copeland said.

Sabrina Jackson, a senior majoring in theatre, said they had auditioned for the play and came to the show to support their classmates.

“Every single actor put in a hundred and ten percent, I think it’s a wonderful work that pretty much everyone should see at least once,” Jackson said. “It has a wonderful message that more people need to actually take in and sit with instead of just hearing it and walking away from it.”

“Fairview” was shown in the Briggs Theatre until Sunday, March 3.