In the history of Civil Rights in America, few moments are as notorious as the death of Emmett Till. To summarize, Till was a teenage boy who was murdered after whistling at a white woman. While that is enough to warrant outrage, there’s much more to the story that deserves to be shared. Thanks to the people at Phantom Project, his story comes to life with “The Face of Emmett Till” with a nuanced study of everything that happened through the eyes of his mother Mamie Till, and the notorious trial that followed. What resulted is an educational night of theater that is sure to leave viewers with a few provocative thoughts on America’s racial history and what can be done to better its future.
With a cast of 12 actors, “The Face of Emmett Till” begins with a somber cry. Gathered center stage, they repeat the chant “Chained in Mississippi” while helping to set the exposition. Who was Emmett Till and why should the audience care about him? Through the context of two actors discussing him in front of a mural, there is awareness of how even 50 years later his impact should matter. There is a sense that freedom should’ve been acquired and yet the chant of “Chained in Mississippi” continues, almost prayerful and creating a foreboding context for everything that follows. While later scenes will do plenty to humanize Emmett and his family, this moment adds a necessary reverence that what is to follow isn’t a reenactment for entertainment but history, so that compassion can hopefully be learned.
Mamie (Naja Benson) is a figure who connects the past to the present. Upon visiting a university to give a speech, she is met with protestors and a reminder of how dangerous it is to be Black in The American South. Her family isn’t the only one who had been impacted and yet theirs is the one that has been immortalized by history. A lot of credit can be given to her, who took the opportunity of Emmett’s death to educate the public on the horrific side effects of racism. While the play itself doesn’t feature any graphic imagery (save for a brief glimpse of the real-life Till that leads into intermission), the implications are still brutal. The weight of his family grappling with the efforts to protect him carry an emotional depth that make the pain more universal.
With that said, credit should be given to the cast and crew for not solely emphasizing the tragedy of the event. While focusing on Emmett’s (Dallas Austin Danell) youthfulness and joy comes with disturbing undertones, the moments where he’s allowed to be himself are beautiful. He’s an average boy, first seen trying to recite “The Gettysburg Address” in order to overcome a speech impediment… but more importantly to convince his mother to let him play baseball. There’s small moments that make the myth into something more tangible, and it’s the heart of what makes the show work. Even with the awareness of racial politics underlining every scene, the divisions among family members aren’t uniform, reflecting how complicated the idea of survival and happiness can be for some.
The latter half of the story shifts from Emmett’s death to a perfectly minimalist recreation of the trial. The dozen actors play rotating roles during Act II, allowing the story to flow naturally between courtroom interrogation and recreations. Watching Emmett be dragged from his home while listening to a monologue about his guardian’s regret of not being more protective is heartbreaking. The way every scene shuffles perspectives with different stage techniques creates something provocative, making one horrified externally and remorseful internally. The recreation is impressively done in its simplicity, allowing Emmett’s story to never feel like a conventional piece of theater.
Overall, the production is straightforward, and intentionally so. With an emphasis on the characters’ response to this moment, it allows the play’s themes to shine brighter. The minimalist sets allow for quick navigation and interpretive backdrops to take on a deeper meaning. This is as much history and memory as it is vital to understanding current events. While one can hope that what happened to Emmett Till doesn’t happen again, the concepts present are ones that still ring true in the Black Lives Matter movement, where fighting for justice is necessary. A difference between then and now is that maybe Mamie Till would feel less alone in her fight for understanding, which provides some reassurance.
Phantom Projects is a program that seeks to educate viewers on various historical events through theater. When introducing the show at La Mirada Theater, they suggested that the story of Emmett Till is starting to fade. Having asked various schools around the area if they wanted to attend, many asked who he was. As an important part of 20th century American history, it’s a sentiment that may sting a little, but only helps to show why shows like “The Face of Emmett Till” are valuable resources. It helps to empathize with these stories and reflect on the humanity that exists within. Thankfully, credit should be given to them for putting on a thoughtful show that respectfully displays the complications of the events without cheapening or exploiting them. It’s a great reminder of a horrific event that doesn’t stray from the difficult details while giving enough conscience to make it timeless.
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