The 'Genuine Black Man' Experience – And How He Survived

Are you black enough? White enough? Tough enough or smart enough? Who are you, anyway?

Brian Copeland brings these questions and more to the stage in a one-night-only benefit performance of his award-winning solo play, Not a Genuine Black Man, this Saturday at the Altarena Playhouse.

Copeland grew up in San Leandro in the 1970s and 80s, one of few African-Americans in a primarily white town. There were struggles on the playground as well as at home: domestic violence, problems with fair housing, and thoughts of suicide.

Copeland's path led him to articulate his pain as a writer and eventually on the stage. Not a Genuine Black Man has also been published as a book, which is now required reading in many high schools and colleges.

Not a Genuine Black Man, which debuted in April 2004, includes vignettes with some 30 characters in two acts. All of it is autobiographical. The narrative focuses on how to fit in, racial identity and survival.

"It's about what it's like to be different – to be the only one," he says. In that sense, Copeland's show resonates with current news stories about youth suicide and bullying. "It's the same kind of a thing," he agrees. "How do you survive? How do you navigate that?"

Copeland says that he's been approached many times by gay audience members who say his story touched them, validating their own experiences. This also underscores to Copeland that his is not a "black" show. "It's [about] the quintessential experience of assimilation," he says.

Copeland is at work on another play, The Waiting Game, which will debut in April 2011 at The Marsh Theatre in San Francisco.

Saturday's 8 p.m. show at Altarena is a benefit for the theater. The performance will be followed by a champagne reception (included in the ticket price) and book signing with the artist. Tickets and pricing information here. 

Note: Some content may be unsuitable for preteens.