Freshman Students to Perform The Royale by Marco Ramirez at American Theater Company
By: Christian Ramirez, Carla Ramirez-Hurtado, and Estephania Flores
The freshman students are practicing and rehearsing a play call The Royale by Marco Ramirez. Ramirez is widely known for writing several episodes of Orange is the New Back, which airs on Netflix. The Royale is inspired by the life of Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight champion. Marco Ramirez’s new play brings to explosive life the sights and sounds of the early-20th-century boxing experience and the ultimate fight for a place in history. Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Because of racism and segregation during the early 1900’s, Jackson’s chances are as good as knocked out. When a creative boxing promoter plans for “the fight of the century,” Jay Jackson lands a place in the ring with the reigning white heavyweight champion. The boxing match turns out to be one of the most exciting and talked-about fights in history.
Every freshman is involved in the production and/or performance of the play. Professional actors and designers, called teaching artists and apprentices, have been coming to Clemente English classes for the past four weeks to work with teachers and students. The production team is responsible for designing the stage, costumes, sounds, lights, marketing, and props. The performance group is responsible for acting and telling the story on stage through speaking and movement. Students will attend a “tech rehearsal” on Friday, Feb. 13th to practice the play in its entirety. On Saturday, Feb. 14th at 10:00 a.m., students will perform The Royale at The American Theater Company: 1909 W. Byron St. Chicago, IL. Admission is free and parents, friends, family, and community members are encouraged to attend!
