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Progress Theatre started as a quiet rebellion at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Cristal Chanelle Truscott understood why the drama department conducted colorblind casting: to be inclusive, so no one had to be pigeonholed into roles based on their ethnic background. But as an undergraduate, Cristal found that being part of culturally neutral productions wasn’t giving her the performance experience she truly craved. She wanted the opportunity to play roles that connected her to her African-American heritage. So during her senior year, she took advantage of the option to conduct an independent student project; she received a small budget to write, direct and produce a play.
The result was Peaches, a work intended to break down stereotypes of African-American female anger and inspired by the Nina Simone song, Four Women. After performances, Cristal remembers other NYU students approaching her to tell her how they too had longed for productions that reflected their own cultural experiences — they wanted Latino and Asian versions of Peaches.
"I truly believe that the particularities can speak to the universalities," says Cristal. "Culturally specific work is not to the exclusion of other groups."
Peaches was so successful, the cast went on the road during the summer of 2001, "and it hasn’t stopped," says Cristal. The ensemble theater company Progress Theatre blossomed from a collaboration between Cristal and Maisha McQueen, one of Peaches' original cast members, and today also includes Dana Bowles and Aaron Goodson as full-time actors.
Cristal’s commitment to Islam arose in a somewhat similar fashion to her theater group: almost spontaneously, but still the result of serious thought and commitment. At NYU, Cristal made numerous Muslim friends. Their striving for peace, seeking of knowledge and desire to be closer to God impressed her. During their discussions, no topic was off limits, they debated everything.
One day, in the middle of Washington Square Park, her Muslim friends asked her if she believed in the message of Islam. When she said yes, they suggested she take her shahada, the Muslim declaration of belief, then and there. So with five Muslim friends as witnesses, Cristal embraced Islam.
"I didn’t plan to become a Muslim when I became a Muslim," Cristal recalls. "I didn’t wake up that morning saying, 'this is the morning.''
Today, Cristal’s values as a Muslim are reflected in numerous aspects of Progress Theatre. Their works have no profanity or lewd dress, but, more importantly, performances are meant to spark serious discussions about social justice issues like racism and popular portrayals of women. Just like her philosophical debates about Islam, no topic is off limits.
"As a Muslim, you believe that if you see an injustice, you should work to change it with your hands, and if not with your hands, with your words, and if not with your words, with your heart," says Cristal.
To learn more about Progress Theatre and get information about its touring schedule, visit www.progresstheatre.com.
Photo by Akintoye Moses
Updated July 20, 2009
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