Dreams of Emmett Till
EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF HIS MURDER TODAY
Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, Playwright • Bobby Field, Director
Emmett Till, a 14-year old African American boy from Chicago, was murdered while visiting relatives in Money, Mississippi. Emmett went into a country store to buy candy; two days later, he was murdered. The world was shocked by Emmett’s murder and grotesquely beaten body taken from the Tallahatchie River. Carolyn’s husband, Roy Bryant, and Roy’s half-brother J.W. Milam admitted to killing Emmett but, unfortunately, were found not guilty.
“Dreams of Emmett Till” “was written by playwright Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, the author of seven produced plays and several books, including "She Took Justice." In “Dreams of Emmett Till” the now elderly Carolyn Bryant must face the truth of what really happened on that hot summer day in 1955 when Emmett Till was accused of accosting her and then brutally murdered by Carolyn’s husband and half-brother.
“Dreams of Emmett Till” was directed by Bobby Field, an experienced musician, actor, writer, producer, director and film editor known for “15 Minutes” (2001), “Coming Up for Air” (2011) and “The Song.”
THE PRODUCTION
The world premiere of “Dreams of Emmett Till” aired live virtually on April 8, 2021 with over 700 in attendance. For those who were unable to attend the premiere event, you can watch the play above.
The Law and Policy Group, Inc. is the executive producer behind this unique and creative production. Founded by Gloria Browne-Marshall, the 501(c)3 organization is a ‘think tank’ for the community which produced the play “Shot-Caught A Soul” and publishes “The Report on the Status of Black Women and Girls,” the only ongoing report on the state of Black females in America. SPARK Theatrical, the associate producer, with multiple projects under development in Los Angeles and New York, connects plays with non-profits that share a common vision, providing audiences the opportunity for education and action.
TOWN HALL DISCUSSION
The play premiere was followed by a Town Hall discussion on the impact of Emmett’s murder on society today. The event featured noted civil rights leaders and historians.
Moderator: Faith Morris, Chief Communications Officer with the National Civil Rights Museum
Panelists: Playwright/Author Gloria Browne-Marshall; Bobby Field, Director of "Dreams of Emmett Till; Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP; Tennessee State Senator Raumesh Akbari; and Dr. David Houck, Fannie Lou Hamer Professor of Rhetorical Studies at Florida State
CAST BIOS
Gloria J. Browne-Marshall
Playwright Gloria J. Browne-Marshall has created seven produced plays. Her plays include “SHOT: Caught a Soul,” about a Black teen haunting the White officer who killed him. “CLASS” is about the racial fight over the American Dream. Her screenplay “Sergeant Freeman” was a Finalist and Official Selection at national and international film festivals. Gloria attended the MFA program at Sarah Lawrence College and the CTI Broadway Producing program. She is the author of “She Took Justice: The Black Woman, Law, and Power,” “Race, Law, and American Society” 1607 to Present,” “The Voting Rights War,” and several poems including “white privilege.”
Bobby Field
Director Bobby Field has garnered numerous awards on the film festival circuit, including Best Actor from the Westwood International Film Festival for his performance in Guy In Row Five, which also earned the Audience Award at the Cinequest International Film Festival, and Best-in-the-Fest at The So Cal International Film Festival and is currently set for a worldwide release in 2022.
Jaiden Kwiseka
Jaiden Kwiseka (Emmett Till), 14, of West Jordan, Utah, has been acting professionally for about three years but has always loved to entertain people with his outgoing personality. He has performed in a wide range of projects from print ads, commercials, music videos, film, and theatre. A few of Jaiden’s projects include EA Madden NFL Sports, Role of Young Darnell in a feature entitled Trace, Kaden in Our Father’s Keeper, Sundance film Legend Of Diaz, and Adidas print.
Peter Breitmayer
Peter Breitmayer (Roy Bryant, Jr.) has an extensive body of work on screen, as he has had recurring roles in the award-winning series Fargo, The Middle and has appeared in various television hit shows such as Mad Men, NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, and CSI. Breitmayer also played in many films such as Fantastic Beasts, Clint Eastwood’s Changeling, and the Coen brothers’ A Serious Man.
Jayne Taini
Jayne Taini (Elderly Carolyn Bryant) started in guerrilla street theatre against the Vietnam War and ended up with a 40-year career in regional theatre, including the Seattle Rep, The Empty Space, Denver Center, Hartford Stage, Cleveland Play House, Pasadena Playhouse, Portland Center Stage, B Street Theatre, Mixed Blood and the Mark Taper Forum. Currently, Taini is a recurring character on ABC’s Station 19 and the highly-acclaimed Netflix’s Unbelievable.
J Taylor D’Andrea
J Taylor D’Andrea (Young Carolyn) has appeared in many short films and provided the English voice for some popular international series, including Netflix’s Vampires. Most recently, she helmed the New England premiere of This Girl Laughs with Wellesley Rep.
