New Play About Cassius Clay Helps Kids Discover the Champion in Themselves

The most recognized heavyweight champion of all time, Muhammad Ali, was a force to be reckoned with in the boxing ring. While his dominance over the greatest fighters in the world is legendary, it’s his fight against religious and racial intolerance that helped bring change to the U.S. during the Civil Rights era.

Through the Metro Theater Company’s 2016 mainstage production, And in This Corner…Cassius Clay, beginning February 1 at the Missouri History Museum, renowned playwright Idris Goodwin takes audience members to the streets of 1950’s Louisville, Kentucky. From their seats, they can watch how the Jim Crow laws of the segregated South ignited the fire in a young boxer who would one day turn adversity into greatness.

While And in This Corner explores the early life of Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, much of the story mirrors the storylines of today. The Clays face racial and economic inequality in their hometown and in turn, young Cassius grows disenchanted with the world around him, struggling to find his place in it.

Yet, when the boundaries of race and class are erased, there exists a bond between individuals that cannot be broken, as observed in the relationship between Cassius and his boxing coach, Joe Martin, a white police officer. Working together, Cassius becomes an Olympic gold medalist in the 1960 Rome games, and upon returning home, he uses the strength he has discovered in himself to take on the issues of disparity in America.

It’s these lessons of empowerment and understanding in And in This Corner that made the play the ideal choice for Metro Theater Company. From the stage, Metro gives attendees a platform for asking the questions that need to be addressed and to be motivated to make a difference in their world.

Said artistic director Julia Flood, “It was important to find a play that did not dictate to our audience, youth or adult, what they should think or feel about these issues. I was looking for a piece in which young people would see themselves, but also one that would give some sense of perspective, to let them look at the issues involved from different points of view.’

“This play, set in 1950s-60s Louisville, Kentucky, has scenes that bear an uncanny likeness to what is happening in St. Louis today, but the distance of time and place allows us to take a different journey, to reflect. The play does not shy away from hard truths or tough situations, but at its end we leave inspired.”

Bringing the Production Beyond the Theater

For Metro, And in This Corner is the stepping stone to a bigger conversation. The play serves as a catalyst for The Cassius Project, a region-wide initiative to bring long-term change to the St. Louis community by engaging our youth.

Metro partnered with educators, civic leaders and community organizations to turn The Cassius Project into an all-encompassing program with tools and resources the audience can use to write their own story of change. Productions of And in This Corner include post-performance dialogues to address local issues and spotlight a St. Louis Superhero – someone who is using their own talents to strengthen our community.

In addition, www.cassiusproject.com offers an online toolkit featuring discussion questions, lesson plans for teachers, and links to volunteer and education opportunities in St. Louis. Classroom curriculum to support character education is also available as is an interactive “Superhero” comic book for students to discover how their own talents can bring change.

How to Get Tickets

And in this Corner…Cassius Clay will be performed in the Lee Auditorium of the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. Public performances begin February 12 and run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. every weekend during the month. Schools can also reserve their spot for school matinees, February 1-4 at 10 a.m. or Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m., from February 9-26.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for students, seniors and military, and $12 for Missouri History Museum members or for groups of 10 or more. School group rates are also available.

For more information, visit www.cassisusproject.com.

Check out these great events happening at various performances:

At Every Performance: Take a Selfie with the Greatest! This is your chance to make yourself a superhero or stand in the right like Muhammad Ali. Put yourself in the action with GoodEye Photoshare's Green Screen Selfie Station and use your smart phone to take a selfit in front of the screen and email it to GoodEye. Within minutes, your picture will come back with your chosen screen!

Opening Weekend Festivities: 

Make Your Own Boxing Poster. Using metal and wood type, each participant will print thier own personalized boxing poster to take home. The letterpress experts at Central Print will introduce guests to the printmaking process that would have been used to make promotional boxing posters from the era of Cassius Clay's boxing career. This free activity takes place in the lower level atrium staring one hour prior to each performance.

See more special events and presentations going on during the run of the play at cassiusproject.com/performances.

 

Photo of actor Trigney Morgan (center) with members of the St. Louis All City Boxing Club courtesy of Metro Theater Company.

 

 

Share This Story

Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL 

Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
Things to Do

Easter Egg-Citement at Eckert's
Friday, March 29, 2024
Saturday, March 30, 2024

Hop on down the bunny trail and fill your basket with fun! Eckert’s Annual Egg Hunt includes animals for petting, tractor rides around the farm, planting seeds to take home, ice a cookie, gifts from the bunny, and a free photo scene with the Easter Bunny. 

View this event »
Water Waddlers Indoor Drop-In Swim

Stop in and have some fun in the indoor pool at the Lodge of Des Peres with your little one at this drop-in swim time for kids up to age 6. No pre-registration is needed; Water Waddlers is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres.

View this event »
Spring Training Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo
Friday, March 29, 2024
Saturday, March 30, 2024

See the amazing sea lions at the Saint Louis Zoo perform for the crowd and cheer them on from the bleachers as the popular Sea Lion Spring Training Shows return. You'll see these beautiful animals perform flipper walks, ball balancing, Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, lots of splashing and even more surprises! 

View this event »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Popular Stories

COCA Ignites Creativity and Sparks Fun for Kids of All Ages, All Summer Long

Stroll along the Walk of Fame in the Delmar Loop, and you’ll spot the playwrights, actors, and artists who got their start in St. Louis, from Tennessee Williams and Katherine Dunham, to Tina Turner and John Goodman. Just a few steps away and around the corner, a new generation of Gateway City superstars will discover their love for the visual and performing arts this summer.

Continue reading »
Farmer's Market Make Great Family Outings! Here is Your 2024 Guide to Farmers Market Across the St. Louis Area

A trip to the farmer’s market is a fun outing for the entire family – and it can be educational too. Make plans to visit one (or several) of these top St. Louis farmers’ markets this spring and summer, so that you and your kids can learn more about where your food comes from and indulge in some of the freshest, seasonal produce the St. Louis region has to offer. Plus, many of these markets offer activities just for kids, feature food trucks, welcome dogs, and more.    

Continue reading »
Life Lessons Learned at Overnight Camp

With the perfect blend of adventure and responsibility, camp life teaches kids valuable lessons they can use for the rest of their lives. If you send your child to overnight camp, here are some life lessons they are likely to learn.

Continue reading »
Spring Break Camps Offer a Variety of Activities for Kids and Teens in St. Louis

Excitement is building for summer and the wide variety of summer camp experiences available for kids in the St. Louis metro area. But first! Spring break is around the corner, and there are plenty of Spring Break camps now enrolling. 

Continue reading »
10 Reasons Your Teen Might Love to be a Camp Counselor

Day or sleepaway summer camp is the perfect place for teens to transition to the world of the employed. The paycheck is nice, but being a summer camp counselor has other rewards, too.

Continue reading »
Follow Us