“The Green Book” takes place during a weekend when the Davis’ are celebrating the arrival of Dr. W.E.B. DuBois for a lecture. The appearance of a white visitor sets off a chain of events that shows that racism and anti-Semitism cannot be ignored.
Under direction of Juergen Tossman, Bunbury Theatre creates enriching, diverse, live theatrical and cultural experiences. Bunbury receives support through FFTA Sustaining Impact Grants.
Brittany Patillo Plays Nina in The Green Book. Check out what Brittany learned from her role and more!
The Green Book: a Reflection by Actress Brittany Patillo
On her character, Nina:
Nina is a high school senior who is ready to experience the world. She’s been sheltered, simply for her own protection because of the era that she’s growing up in.
She knows her mom, she knows her dad, but she wants to see the world. Not just like, “Oh, I’m gonna go out and party,” but she wants to be involved in something good for the world. She’s very inquisitive. She’s very smart. And she’s wise for her age.
On her favorite line from the show:
Nina says this line twice in two different ways. She says “I don’t understand how people can hate.” And that line sticks with me, because even though she’s 17 and I’m 22, and maybe I’m a little bit wiser than her, I don’t understand either. I don’t think anybody understands—or ever will understand—why people can hate.
On the Negro Motorists’ Green Book
I always feel bad saying this but I had never heard of the Green Book before this play. I’m 22. Louisville was in the Green Book. I should know something about it or at least heard of it. And it is my fault—but it’s the education system’s fault as well, because they really don’t teach us about this type of stuff.
You have your history books, and they have that section about slaves… and they have a section about Martin Luther King… maybe a little bit about Malcolm X over here… they might add in a little Nelson Mandela depending on how they’re feeling. But they don’t put the Green Book in it.
On who should see this show:
Young people need to see it— especially those of color. If I were to take it to a school, they’ve probably never heard of it. Just like they don’t know a lot of the hidden figures in black history. It’s important for you to know your history.
This is why I try so hard to get kids to come to the show. We have a lot of older audience members which is great, but eventually, the older ones are going to be gone. And we’re just going to have a repeat of kids not knowing, growing up to be the older ones, not learning until they’re 70 years old.
You can’t blame it all on the education system. You have to take the initiative to learn yourself.
