Actors on a mission

Colman Domingo, a Tony-Award nominated actor, will lead audiences deeper into August Wilson’s “Fences” this weekend as he presents “Mission of Saint,” a play chronicling the untold story of the character Gabriel.

The production is part of the Institute for the Arts and Humanities’s Process Series, which presents rough drafts of new works, allowing audiences to be a part of the creative process and an opportunity to provide feedback to help artists hone their material.

Joseph Megel, the artistic director for the Process Series, said each artist reworks their material differently.

“Sometimes an artist just wants to see something twice, so no changes are made. Sometimes you get 50 different pages. I’ve had both experiences, but the one thing I never do is say, ‘You must’ or ‘We’re expecting you to,’ because that’s antithetical to the series objective,” Megel said.

“I try to create an environment where anything can happen and assist it in moving towards a direction that is desired.”

Domingo’s work centers around an otherworldly exchange between Gabriel and Saint Peter after Gabriel is injured during World War II.

The characters of Gabriel and St. Peter will be performed by local actor Alphonse Nicholson and Broadway actor Arthur French, respectively.

Domingo said the play explores not only Gabriel’s backstory but also the discrete experience of the African-American male — an experience shaped by socioeconomic stratification and differential opportunities.

“I wanted to capture the experiences of those from urban communities, who had limited opportunities, whose only option may have been to go into the armed forces,” Domingo said.

Megel said the play presents an opportunity to acknowledge both the past and present challenges faced by African-American men across the axis of age.

However, Megel also added that he wanted attendees to reflect on more than just the provocative subject matter.

“They get a window into what is usually private and hidden and that may make them appreciate more finished pieces that they see at Memorial Hall or PlayMakers,” Megel said.

“I want them to talk about how great it is to see people of the caliber that we’re bringing in — what a privilege it is to have that opportunity,” he said.

Nicholson said he felt privileged to be a part of the production and that he is looking forward to presenting the play to audiences.

“It’s a great opportunity for me working with these guys who have had their name instilled in theater and the world of art so well,” he said.

“I just want them to kind of walk away thinking, ‘Wow, what would ‘Fences’ have been like if this was a scene?’ I want them to walk away intrigued, wanting to see more and do more.”

arts@dailytarheel.com