Purple Dreams

Invited

Northwest School of the Arts, a public magnet school in Charlotte, N.C., is chosen to be the first high school permitted to perform The Color Purple—the Broadway musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel. Under the leadership of theater arts teacher and director Corey Mitchell, students and faculty members are called on to work hard to bring the production to life, doing justice to the adult themes of the material but also dealing with issues in their own lives that mirror what they portray onstage. From auditions to opening night and beyond, the filmmakers follow these students and their teachers as they pursue their dreams. Watching these amazing students grapple with presenting the story of Celie, Mister, and Shug, we are inspired by the journeys of Mekhai, Britany, Keston, Phillip, Danielle, and Javontre—who not only find fulfillment in acting, singing, and dancing but also create paths forward in their lives after high school. AT

Director

Joanne Hock

Producers

Robin Grey, Sara Patel

Editor

John Disher

Cinematographer

John Disher

Release Year

2016

Festival Year

2017

Country

United States

Run Time

73 minutes

Subtitled

No

Premiere

World Premiere