File, Digital Video

Author 04
Cleage Masterclass
4-16-04
Edited

Digital video taken from a MiniDV tape containing edited footage of Pearl Cleage's masterclass presentation at Marygrove College, held on April 16, 2004 in conjunction with the Annual Bauder Contemporary American Authors Lecture.

This version includes opening title cards, end credits, and on-screen titles identifying speakers.

The occasion is hosted by Dr. Frank Rashid, the Chair of English and Modern Languages at Marygrove, who appears at the podium to provide an orientation, and recognizes the participating schools as well as contributing staff members. Next, Loretta G. Woodard, provides the introduction to Pearl Cleage.

Cleage begins her presentation by reading an essay. She then shows a page of the New York Times showing the photos of American soldiers who were killed in Iraq, while talking about the role of writers in society. She then takes questions from the attendees; her responses deal with her preference for writing for theatre, the popularity of Terry McMillan and "light reading" in African American literature, film adaptations versus theatre, the importance of tackling topics like HIV and homosexuality, feedback and connecting with an audience, her process, the influence of her parents (Albert B. Cleage Jr. of the Shrine of the Black Madonna and history teacher Doris Graham Cleage), formative books and experiences as an aspiring writer, the sense of community among African American woman writers, speaking to students, expressing her opposition to the Iraq War in her work, and the inspiration for her characters.

Afterward, Rashid returns to the podium to provide some closing remarks and to introduce Charonne Hightower, who presents Cleage with a present.