Watson becomes first black female undergrad at UNC to adapt, produce and direct a play

The commotion coming from Swain Studio 6 could be heard from a few yards away.

Inside, the room was teeming with personality.

The cast of Shani Watson’s first production conversed affably behind her.

“We’re OK with black here,” Watson said, disarming the looming threat of tension.

“When you’re addressing topics like racism, you have to get past the awkwardness.”

With her honors thesis production, “Imitation of Life” — which opened Thursday — Watson has become the first black female undergraduate to adapt, produce and direct a play at UNC.

The show focuses on the coming-of-age experience of Sarah Jane, a light-skinned black girl, and her struggle to define an identity for herself.

“Growing up in a world where I was constantly bombarded with the notion that black is inferior definitely impacted my life,” Watson said. “There’s racism within the black community.”

Watson’s partner in bringing “Imitation of Life” to the stage is her assistant director and fellow undergraduate Kallie Wray.

Wray, who is white, said her pairing with Watson helped the cast become comfortable with the topic of racial identity, a theme predominant throughout the play.

Wray said her presence was helpful in rehearsing the scene in which the characters learn the meaning of “nigger.”

“It was so hard getting the cast comfortable with saying ‘nigger’ on stage, but the way they say it is really important to the play,” Wray said.

“Coming at it from a white-and-black approach definitely helped to set them at ease.”

Izzy Francke, a sophomore at UNC and an actor in the show, said she has been impressed with Watson’s work ethic. Francke, who is white, will play the role of Sarah Jane.

“Considering the intense time restraints, Shani did an amazing job with us,” she said.

Paul Ferguson, a UNC performance studies professor and production adviser to the show, said he also holds his former student in high esteem.

“Shani is one of the smartest, most organized, committed and talented students I’ve worked with since being at Carolina,” he said.

Although she is grateful to be able to use the play as a platform to address and heal social issues, Watson said she wouldn’t do it again.

“I never wanted to write a play, I wish the play had been written and I was the director,” said Watson, who completely revised the script 11 times.

“I don’t think writing’s my forte. I’d rather be directing.”

Francke said that Watson played an important part in developing her performance as Sarah Jane — especially since Francke and her character are of different races.

“It’s extremely daunting to play this role, but Shani is really good at helping me understand Sarah Jane’s dilemma,” she said.
“Being in college, a lot of us are confused about our identity and who we are.”

But she said bridging the gap between being a white person and playing a black one is still a challenge.

“Shani’s direction helps me feed the right energy into the character,” she said.

Watson said she is giving any donations received to local charities whose missions are in alignment with the play’s themes.

“The greatest reward for me is being able to get my story out and into society.”

Contact the Arts Editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.