THE LAST WORD

Welcome Back, Keenan!!

"All we ever wanted was to be ourselves...to live." These are the last spoken words of the play Thoughts of a Colored Man, written by Keenan Scott II '09. The work, which focuses on a single day in Brooklyn exploring the hopes, sorrows, fears and joys of seven men, had a Broadway production in 2021. Described as "vulnerable, vibrant, raw and live," the play was the first-ever Broadway show to be written and directed by Black men with Black men in the leading roles. 

This past April, the show returned to where it all began - the FSU campus - for a successful two weekend run. Scott directed the cast, which included several FSU alumni, students and even an administrator. The Frostburg production served as a homecoming for Scott, who wrote and produced the play back in 2009 when he was an FSU student. While it was exciting to return to his alma mater and reconnect with fellow alums, Scott also had a mission. He had a chance to bring his impactful play to the audiences of Mountain Maryland and challenge them on themes and situations they may not otherwise explore. Those audiences included area high school student who were fortunate enough to attend a special performance. 

"It was the best play I've ever seen," said one emotional high school junior. "Just...wow!"

Mission accomplished, Mr. Scott. Thank you.