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Play to kick off Black History celebration

By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer

Feb. 1, 2002 - A family’s struggle to overcome abuse, neglect and addiction will be staged in Lincolnton.

Rev. Denise Surratt, 43, is the writer and director of the musical, “Window Pain, the Reflection,” to be performed by area actors and a choir Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Citizens Center.

The play, says Surratt, is based on an unpublished book she began writing in 1997 and recounts many of the battles she fought growing up.

The play chronicles a family’s struggle to recover from years of verbal and mental abuse, emotional neglect and personal addictions.

“It’s a book about my life,” she says. “It tells people that you don’t have to fear anything.”

During her childhood, the author suffered abuse at the hands of an alcoholic father. She remembers going to bed at night with her shoes on, prepared to run if her father became enraged.

“Window Pain, the Reflection” was named for a childhood incident. The author’s sister attempted suicide and was hospitalized. While standing in the hospital room, looking out the window, the young girl saw her reflection.

Though much of the story line is based on actual events, Surratt added some situations for theatrical purposes.

“There’s going to be abuse. There are going to be gunshots.”

The result, Surratt believes, is a production that is more than just entertainment. “Window Pain, the Reflection” “is not just a play,” she says. “This is a ministry.”

Music is integrated into the production, including performances by a Unity Choir, formed at Gold Hill Baptist Church and directed by Donald Crawford.

The play was first performed in June 2001 at Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte under the name “I’m Busting Loose.”

Since then, the story has evolved and, fittingly, says Surratt, so has its name.

“This play is like a baby to me, so I’m raising it up to a spirit of excellence.”

The Iron Station native, says she decided to bring the play to Lincoln County because of a dream.

“I had a dream that I was at East Lincoln High School. I was on stage, and it was dark. I heard people coming in, and they wanted to see the play.”

The next morning she called her alma matter to see if they were interested.

They were. The play will kick off Lincoln County’s Black History Month celebration.

Surratt is a motivational speaker and an evangelist with her own outreach ministry, As One Ministries. She volunteers with the prison ministry and homeless ministry in Gastonia and travels, teaching recovery steps to the suffering.

“The spirit of God gave me four ways to come to wholeness” — recall, reflect, recognize and release.

Surratt, a licensed minister, attends Belmont Abbey working toward a degree in psychology. She believes the degree will help her better understand those she helps.

“Information is vital,” she says. “Information is a tool to bring you into that place of holiness.”

Two performances of “Window Pain, the Reflection” will be presented Feb. 9, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. at the Citizens Center. The production is sponsored by the Lincoln Arts Council, East Lincoln High School and Gold Hill Baptist Church.

Surratt cautions that the subject matter may not be appropriate for children under the age of 10.

Tickets are $5 for students; $10 for adults and $12 at the door.

For tickets call Sylvia Lowery, 704-867-6629; the Lincoln Arts Council, 704-732-9044; or East Lincoln High School, 704-483-5681.

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The Lincoln Arts Council, the Lincoln Cultural Center and the Black History Committee will host several other events in observance of Black History Month at the Cultural Center.

 An art show featuring Pamela Ferguson and other area artists will open Feb. 10 at 2 p.m.

 A youth program will be held Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. The night of entertainment will include a Jeopardy contest, reading from winning essay contest entrants and music. A storyteller will be on hand to entertain the children. Dinner will be served, complete with fried chicken, greens, cornbread, lemonade and pies.

 A fashion show, directed by Barbara Crawford, March 3 at 3:30 p.m.

For more information about any of these events, call the Lincoln Arts Council at 704-732-9044.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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