Dar He: The Story of Emmett Till

The Etherredge Center at the University of South Carolina Aiken presents its next Cultural Series event

Aiken, SC (02/10/2022) — The Etherredge Center at the University of South Carolina Aiken (USC Aiken) presents its next Cultural Series event, "Dar He: The Story of Emmett Till." The performance will take place on February 19 at 7:30 pm on the Etherredge Center main stage located at 340 Scholar Loop in Aiken.

Acclaimed actor and playwright, Mike Wiley, wrote and stars in this gripping one-man show based on true events. According to the program description provided by the Etherredge Center, "In 1955, a 14-year-old Black Chicago youth traveled to the Mississippi Delta with country kinfolk and southern cooking on his mind. He walked off the train and into a world he could never understand - a world of thick color lines, hard-held class systems, and unspeakable taboos. Young Emmett crossed that line and stepped into his gruesome fate by whistling at a white woman. Through conversations with a 'Look Magazine' journalist, Emmett's mother and others caught up on the events that led to Till's devastating fate. This riveting play chronicles the murder, trial, and unbelievable confessions of the men accused of Till's murder."

On performing this reenactment, Wiley said, "I do these plays because I believe stereotypes and racism and things of that nature arise from fear - because we are scared of the unknown." Wiley has spent the last decade fulfilling his mission to bring educational theatre to young audiences and communities across the country. In the early days of his career, he found few theatrical resources to shine a light on key events and figures in African American history.

Wiley will host a question-and-answer session, open to the public, at the Center for African American History, Art, and Culture at 11:00 a.m. on the morning of his performance.

Contact the Etherredge Center Box Office for tickets by calling (803) 641-3305 or visiting etherredgecenter.universitytickets.com. Normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

Media Attachments

The Etherredge Center at the University of South Carolina Aiken presents its next Cultural Series event, “Dar He: The Story of Emmett Till.” The performance will take place on February 19 at 7:30 pm on the Etherredge Center main stage located at 340 Scholar Loop in Aiken.