Passing Strange: Crossroads’ Lecture Explores Race in Performance

Friday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Orcas Center. Discussion to follow

 — by Margie Doyle —

Chiwetel Ejiofor as Othello in the 2007 Donmar production. Photograph: Robbie Jack/Corbis

The Crossroad’s lecture “Othello in the 21st Century” by Professor Ayanna Thompson on Friday evening, March 21, is a thought-provoking prelude to the Orcas Shakespeare Festival’s performance of “Othello” on the following evening.

Shakespeare wrote with an uncanny ability to speak to the tensions of all times: the complex family dynamics of “Hamlet,” the ambition of “Macbeth,” the political conniving of “Julius Caesar” and the manipulation of insecurities in “Othello.”

Those who have enjoyed “House of Cards” in both its British and HBO iterations will appreciate how the villain Iago connives to destroy Othello (the “collateral damage” of his inter-racial marriage be damned). Dr. Thompson looks at that scenario through the lens of race (Othello is a black army general), and asks if “Othello” should be performed in the 21st century.

Thompson’s most recent publication – Passing Strange: Shakespeare, Race, and Contemporary America will be for sale at a book signing following the lecture.

Crossroads Chairman Bruce Buchanan says,”To some extent, the Crossroads lectures don’t focus on local issues, but aim for more universal topics. But as Thompson brings out in Passing Strange, race is the elephant in the room, and like all unpleasant past events, we want it just to go away.

“But it still infects us whether we live in an insulated community or in a big multi-racial city. Thompson’s book explains to a certain degree, how one person passing off as another extends off-stage; members of one culture may work hard to “pass” themselves off as members of another culture.” Whether the culture is racial, or economic, or academic or professional, the desire to pretend to be someone you’re not, to “pass,” is a mask many have put on.

“The genius of Shakespeare is in presenting social phenomena which is ubiquitous and which make us uncomfortable. He has no fear of taking these issues on,” says Buchanan.

Come with your questions for the Q & A session after the lecture, and stay for a reception and book signing following the presentation.

Tickets are $10 and available at Darvill’s Bookstore, ONLINE at or at the door. Some complimentary tickets are available in advance at the Senior Center.

Orcas Crossroads Lecture Series is supported by the Crossroads Associates Circle, the Daniel and Margaret Carper Foundation, and Individual Contributors. Find more information at the Orcas Crossroads website, or contact: Sue Kimball, at 376-5360.