The World Premier of James Still's new drama
The Indiana Repertory Theatre continues to explore race-conscious themes with the world premiere of 'April 4, 1964', a new play about the day human rights activist Martin Luther king died and Robert F. Kennedy's subsequent speech. Written by the theatre's own playwright-in-residence James Still, the poignant drama was made using 40 interviews of local residents conducted over four years, distilled into a single profile of one African-American family and their struggle to come to terms with the turbulent times and social unrest of the day.
Senator Robert Kennedy happened to be campaigning for the Democratic Presidential Nomination in Indianapolis on the fateful day King was shot in Memphis, Tennessee. Speaking to a predominantly African-American audience, Kennedy had to share the news with the crowd and, in a pivotal moment in the course of the Civil Rights Movement, shared their grief openly and sincerely, an olive branch that is said to have prevented riots in the wake of King's death.