One-man show praises activist's legacy

By Allison Bethurem

The life of prolific black renaissance man Paul Robeson was filled with emotion, power and triumph.

Actor Stogie Kenyatta vowed when Robeson died that Robeson’s name would be known and people would take one second out of their day to remember what a great and accomplished man he was.

Robeson’s legacy has been spread throughout the world by Kenyatta with the one-man show “The Life and Times of Paul Robeson.” The show, which was hosted by USU Productions, was held at the Satellite Student Union.

Kenyatta, through his voice and acting, told the story of Robeson’s struggles and accomplishments.

With the help of a few props, lighting and inspiring music, Kenyatta portrayed Robeson as a 5-year-old boy curious about the world, and later, as a 70-year-old man curious about what is next to come. He also played the roles of nine additional characters who were a part of Robeson’s life, including his wife, father, brothers, sister and maid.

Robeson was raised by a strong father and siblings who supported and helped him become the man he was. In his college years, Robeson was the first black college All-American football, basketball and baseball player.

Throughout his success with sports, he maintained a 4.0 GPA and was valedictorian of his graduating class.

Robeson went on to become a lawyer, an actor, a singer and a political activist. Robeson stood strong and let his voice be heard no matter where he was or what circumstance he was in, Kenyatta said.

“Paul’s life was fascinating,” Kenyatta said. “He was a tremendous human being and it is a wonderful legacy to spread to the youth and children.”

Kenyatta, who was born in Jamaica and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., studied and trained at the Afro-American Studio in Harlem and at the Henry Street Settlement. He soon made his way to Long Beach State to study film and acting. Kenyatta has been in more than 25 films and television shows, including “Batman and Robin,” “Species,” “Marked for Murder,” “JAG,” “ER,” “Mad TV” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

“If you come in knowing nothing,” Kenyatta said, “you’ll leave knowing everything.”

Program adviser of USU Productions Kristie Godfrey agrees.

“We think there is more to college than just academics,” Godfrey said. “We want to give students a variety of activities to choose from.”