Forget the normal, everyday symposium. The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture always manages to put a unique spin on such a humdrum affair. Well, they’re really done it for The 2015 MLK Symposium.
The 2015 MLK Symposium*
On Monday, January 17 19, the symposium will take place at the Dallas City Performance Hall. But in addition to a panel discussion about the accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there will the world-premiere of “an original stage play based on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s influential ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’ entitled The 67th Book of the Bible.”
Will Power*
Derrick Sanders*
Thanks to Booker T. Washington/SMU alum Jonathan Norton, who wrote the play, along with “award-winning playwright Will Power” and Chicago’s acclaimed Derrick Sanders, the time that the late civil rights leader spent in jail trying to keep the movement alive will be portrayed.
Here’s a synopsis of the play:
April 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama. Martin Luther King Jr. is in jail urgently writing what will become his iconic “Letter from a Birmingham” jail. He writes his letter on newspaper scraps, jailhouse toilet paper and anything he can find. The scraps are smuggled out of King’s jail cell and delivered to King’s Chief of Staff, Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker. The 67th Book of the Bible tells the story of the creation of the letter, but it is told from the perspective of Wyatt and his secretary, Willie Pearl. Together they have the long and frustrating assignment of deciphering King’s feverish writings. Wyatt knows the letter could be the only chance to resurrect a dying movement and he promised King he would complete the task. But Wyatt’s steely determination to keep his promise to King threatens to drive away the one person he needs most to complete the task – Willie Pearl. The 67th Book of the Bible shines a light on the first two people ever to encounter Dr. King’s prophetic letter, and their determination not to be the last.
Dr. Larry Allums (File photo)
According to Dallas Institute Executive Director Dr. Larry Allums, “The Symposium brings to Dallas the best authorities on Dr. King’s achievement and legacy, and we are in for a powerful evening of performance. Combine Jonathan’s exceptional talent with Will Power as producer and Derrick Sanders as director, and it will make for an incredible evening. To top it off, Willie Pearl Mackey, one of the main characters from the play and the person responsible for transcribing King’s ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail,’ will be joining us in person for a conversation afterwards about the impact of this letter civil rights in America and across the world.”
Tickets range from free for students with ID’s, $10 for teachers to $20 for general admission.
Sponsors included Presenting Sponsor BaylorScott&White Health and ALON USA, John Castle, Dallas Faces Race, Humanities Texas, Nancy Cain Marcus, Office of Cultural Affairs, Oncor and OTSL Charities.
* Graphic and photos provided by the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture