The production was first performed by the AATP in February.��

“The National Black Theatre Festival is the largest, most important venue for black theatre in the United States,” said , chair of the Department of Theatre Arts and director of “Baltimore.” “Our students will perform before audiences that include professional actors, directors, designers, theatre educators, agents, recruiters and the general public. It’s a terrific way to get our students and our program in the spotlight, in addition to great visibility for the African American Theatre Program.”

The African American Theatre Program has previously performed the plays, “Mr. Bluesman” (1997), “Monsieur Baptiste, the Con Man” (1999), “Steal Away” (2005), and “The Orphan’s Revenge” (2011) at the festival.

“Baltimore,” written by Boston playwright Kirsten Greenidge, centers on a racial incident that occurs in a New England college residence hall. The incident – a student draws a racist caricature on the door of an African-American student’s room – brings out an array of different beliefs in the students affected and living in the residence hall. The play provides social commentary on issues surrounding race, identity, sexual orientation and gender. The play also documents how difficult discussions of race and identity can be.

“It’s a terrific ensemble show with a very racially diverse cast and excellent performances by all,” Burton said.

“Baltimore,” a new play about the complexities of race on college campuses, runs Feb. 2-6 and Feb. 9-12 in Thrust Theatre. ����

Written by Kirsten Greenidge, “Baltimore”��is part of the��, which is dedicated��to��commissioning works��by��female playwrights to be��produced at universities��across the country.

It��tells the story of Shelby Wilson, an African-American resident adviser for a diverse group of freshmen at a New England college. When a racist caricature is drawn on a black��student’s dorm door, Wilson is forced to confront her belief that she lives in a post-racial society as she finds the courage to facilitate honest conversations about difference.

“I thought the show would be perfect for UofL’s campus because it’s similar to what happened in resident halls last year,” said Danielle Smart, theatre arts grad student who is playing the lead role of Shelby. “Hopefully, for students especially, this show will help begin to open conversations about issues surrounding race that can be hard to talk about.”

The play references national events, such as the riots in Ferguson, Missouri, the Black Lives Matter movement and the deaths of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Freddie Gray and Sandra Bland.

Nefertiti Burton, theatre department chair, is directing. The themes couldn’t be more relevant given current events and the socio-political climate, she said.

“With the conversations that are taking place in the public sphere, I fear things aren’t going to get better easily. We’re going to have to really work together to build a society that benefits us all,” Burton said. “This play has lessons we can all benefit from, about how to talk to each other and value and respect each other.”

The audience will have a chance to respond to the play in writing in the lobby.

“We’ll bring the play out to the lobby space, in a sense, because it’s very much about hearing, seeing and speaking to people in an authentic way, so we want to create that opportunity for the audience,” Burton said.

The cast represents a diversity of ethnicities – as the play calls for – and acting backgrounds. Undergraduates, graduate students and those who’ve never acted all have roles, as does Kristi Papailler, Theatre teacher at Central High School and an alumnus of the theatre program. ��

“It’s a great effort from undergrads and individuals in the show just beginning to act,” Smart said. “They felt so moved and passionate about the show, they were able to successfully become those characters. It’s not just a theatre project, but a community project.”

Thrust Theatre is on UofL’s Belknap Campus, 2314 S. Floyd St. All plays start at 8 p.m. with 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for faculty, alumni and seniors and $8 for UofL students. Season tickets are $50. To order tickets or for more information, call the box office at (502) 852-6814 or click .

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Feb. 1: A black history celebration and keynote address by , an activist for black, Muslim and femme communities and executive director of Equality for HER. The 6 p.m. program in Strickler Hall’s auditorium begins with music by UofL’s Black Diamond Choir followed by more music, dances and comments from students and community members around the theme of “Carrying the Torch.”

Feb. 2-6 and 9-12: “,” a play by Kirsten Greenidge and directed by Theatre Arts Department Chair and Professor Nefertiti Burton. Performed by students in the African American Theatre Program, the play examines the implications and aftermath of a racially charged incident on a college campus. Performances are Feb. 2-6 and Feb. 9-12 (no performances Feb. 7-8) at 8 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, Thrust Theatre, 2314 S. Floyd St. is $8-$15.

Feb. 13: Composer and conductor performs with the University Symphonic Band and Noe Middle School Band as part of an African American Music Heritage Institute , 7 p.m., School of Music, Comstock Hall. General admission is $10 and $5 for students. It is free for UofL students.

Feb. 17-26: “Empowerment: Making and Shaping History,” a at the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium that explores themes in social justice. Shows are 6 p.m. Feb. 17, 18 and 24 and 2 p.m. Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26.

Feb. 19: “A Salute to African American Athletes: Trailblazers Who Broke Color Barriers in College Sports” will be the UofL/Yearlings Club’s Black History Month , 4-6 p.m., Yearlings Club, 4309 W. Broadway.��

UofL also offers free online guides to two Louisville civil rights tours: , compiled by the Anne Braden Institute for Social Justice Research, and a noting civil rights demonstration spots near businesses that refused to serve African Americans.��The College of Arts and Sciences developed both tours with community partners.