CSU Theater presents “Fairview”: A reflection on conversations about race – The Cauldron

Photo Credit: CSU Theater and Dance

This February, Cleveland State University’s (CSU) Theater and Dance department presents “Fairview”, an emotional and thought-provoking Pulitzer Prize-winning drama.  

“Fairview” tells the story of a middle-class African American family preparing for their grandmother’s birthday dinner. The main character Beverly attempts to make the party as perfect as possible while her surrounding family members create a spiral of stress around her. The story then slowly unravels into a multi-layered examination of white people’s place as listeners, not commentators, in the sharing of Black people’s stories.  

The show stars eight CSU students who play multi-faceted characters as the show continues to shift throughout the acts. Students from CSU also have a role behind the scenes, ensuring that the set, sound, lights and production run smoothly. 

The play is directed by Nicole Sumlin, the director of education for the Cleveland Public Theater, and Ananias Dixon, a local theater education leader, actor and CSU alumni. 

“Fairview” originally premiered Off-Broadway in 2018. Written by Jackie Sibblies Drury, a Jamaican-American playwright based in Brooklyn, the show is known for the artistry and coordination required in its stage direction, which plays a pivotal role in conveying the message and plot of the performance. The play was created as a way to “explore surveillance and the ways implicit bias informs how we watch other people,” according to American Theatre. 

“[Our production] is staying fairly true to the original,” said Katie Steim, a Theater major and actress playing the character of Suze in the show. “We are trying to specifically take everything that the playwright has included and kind of follow her intentions.” 

Maintaining the intentions of Drury for CSU’s production has also meant reflecting on what the impact of the show on the audience will be.

As the plot and conversation continue to spiral throughout the performance, the intent is for the audience to be just as wrapped up in the show as the characters.

“I think for all of us, I hope that the audience walks away questioning their own behavior and their own personal biases, and I hope that this show encourages people to create space for people who have not always been allowed to take up space,” continued Steim. “It’s really topical in the current state of the world that we’re in, and I think it’s really an important story that needs to be told about how the white gaze affects people of color in real life.”

The themes of “Fairview” are as relevant as ever after the actions of the Trump administration during the first month in office. The pivot away from diversity, equity and inclusion in favor of “merit-based” hiring suggests that skill cannot be uttered in the same breath as race or gender, and that those included in these programs need them due to a lack of qualifications. 

This, amongst other executive orders made by the Trump administration, such as withdrawal from the World Health Organization and anti-environmental policies, carry negative implications, especially for Black Americans.

A study by the Thurgood Marshall Institute details just how much the Project 2025 goals, reflected in the Trump administration’s executive orders so far, have the potential to hurt Black communities. Though the administration has not directly stated an intent to harm Black Americans, the data against and historical context behind these policies signify how lack of acknowledgment is not the same as lack of intent. 

The consequences of discussing a solution to a problem without fully understanding it is explored in “Fairview” in relation to white people’s involvement in conversations about race. However, even with such heavy subjects, the cast still finds joy. 

“My favorite part has been the joy and laughs that we share as a cast,” shared Steim. “It is still a really heavy show with a lot of intense subjects, but there is still a lot of fun to be had. My favorite part is at the end of rehearsals we all kind of step out of character and have a little group hug and a closing practice and it’s really nice.”

The show is full of surprises, moments of emotional depth, laughs and a reflection that all audiences can learn from and enjoy.

“It’s a really important show and I think no matter who you are, you should definitely come see it,” said Steim. “Be prepared to be uncomfortable. Be prepared to maybe laugh, and there will be, I won’t spoil it, but there will be opportunities for audience participation, so if you feel so inclined please do!”

“Fairview” will open February 20 through March 2 at the Helen Theater in Playhouse Square. Tickets for the show can be purchased on Playhouse Square’s website. CSU students can buy tickets for only $5 using the code STUCSU.