Richard Wright and Paul Green adapting "Native Son" for the stage. Photo by Alexander M. Rivera
By Ian Finley
Native, written by Ian Finley, is based on the true story of the collaboration between celebrated playwright and North Carolina icon, Paul Green, and the celebrated novelist Richard Wright, the author most famously of Native Son. The two men were brought together to adapt Wright's novel for Orson Welles' Broadway production, and the play explores the battle of wills that ensued. It is a scintillating conversation about who has a right to tell a story for the sake of social change.
The play is written for two actors who portray the principals and occasionally other supporting characters. Featuring David zum Brunnen as Paul Green and directed by Serena Ebhardt.
Native workshopped at Deep Dish Theater Company in Chapel Hill in January 2015.
Ian Finley is a playwright and educator who served as the NC Piedmont Laureate in 2012. He received the Harry Kondoleon Award for playwriting while earning his MFA at New York University's Tisch School of Performing Arts. His plays include a 2-part musical adaptation of Thomas Hardy's Jude the Obscure for Burning Coal Theatre Company in Raleigh, Up from the Ground for the Piedmont Laureate program, and two ten-minute plays for the Ackland Art Museum. He also serves as Head of Drama at Research Triangle High School.
PRESENTER TOOL KIT
Playbill
Run Time - 80 minutes, no intermission /Short Version - 55 minutes
Study Guide
Technical Rider