2008 Woodie Awards
A Dream to Fly: The Bessie Coleman Story
Gensis Hart
Issue date: 3/10/06 Section: Entertainment
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On Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2006 the Lower Hangar was converted into a small theater stage to bring students a presentation on Bessie Coleman, the first female and African-American pilot in the United States. The Office of Student Activities, the Women in Aviation Club and the Diversity Committee sponsored the performance. Food was provide by Chartwells and included many varieties of cake, fruit and cheese trays, and coffee or tea.
Madeline McCray wrote and performed the play: "A Dream to Fly: The Bessie Coleman story." McCray, who is from New York, spent many hours researching the life of Bessie Coleman. McCray looked at Harlem's Shemberg Center for information, but found very little to help her there. It was not until she looked at many different microfilms in local libraries that articles were found about Bessie Coleman's life. In 1990, McCray began working on the script, making sure to reflect modern issues that still exist today. As part of McCray's preparation method she bungee-jumped to experience the rush that is gained from flying.
The performance was set up as if McCray, who plays Bessie Coleman, is being interviewed about her life. The show goes on to recap what Bessie Coleman went through in order to receive her pilot's license. McCray highlights how Bessie Coleman learned to speak French and then moved to France in order to learn to fly. Bessie tells people, "You haven't lived until you've flown." The play also goes on to mention more about Bessie Coleman's life, and who she was as a person.
When McCray is not on the road traveling she works in New York with young adults in the performance arts. McCray views the arts as "a way to inspire and encourage young people."
Those in attendance were very pleased with the performance. Nicole Davis thought, "It was a great education experience." Brendan Carne of OSA said "this was a fantastic event which brings together both Black History Month and Women's Month in one."
Overall, those who were in attendance walked away knowing more about the life of Bessie Coleman and what she did to become the first female and African-American pilot.
Madeline McCray wrote and performed the play: "A Dream to Fly: The Bessie Coleman story." McCray, who is from New York, spent many hours researching the life of Bessie Coleman. McCray looked at Harlem's Shemberg Center for information, but found very little to help her there. It was not until she looked at many different microfilms in local libraries that articles were found about Bessie Coleman's life. In 1990, McCray began working on the script, making sure to reflect modern issues that still exist today. As part of McCray's preparation method she bungee-jumped to experience the rush that is gained from flying.
The performance was set up as if McCray, who plays Bessie Coleman, is being interviewed about her life. The show goes on to recap what Bessie Coleman went through in order to receive her pilot's license. McCray highlights how Bessie Coleman learned to speak French and then moved to France in order to learn to fly. Bessie tells people, "You haven't lived until you've flown." The play also goes on to mention more about Bessie Coleman's life, and who she was as a person.
When McCray is not on the road traveling she works in New York with young adults in the performance arts. McCray views the arts as "a way to inspire and encourage young people."
Those in attendance were very pleased with the performance. Nicole Davis thought, "It was a great education experience." Brendan Carne of OSA said "this was a fantastic event which brings together both Black History Month and Women's Month in one."
Overall, those who were in attendance walked away knowing more about the life of Bessie Coleman and what she did to become the first female and African-American pilot.