Sundown in Southern Illinois: Artist's Statement and Performance Script

Abstract

Based on two years of critical performance ethnographic fieldwork, the production Sundown in Southern Illinois explores community narratives about the history of sundown towns in Southern Illinois. The performance tells the stories of how predominantly white communities have historically banned African Americans after dark and are “all-white” on purpose. This artist's statement frames the staging of the production and is followed by an abridged version of the performance script. Through community voices the performance reveals a history of racism hidden deeply in America's past and embodies a critical race performative approach to critical qualitative communication inquiry.