distinguishing "which" Ida B. Wells was speaking. The costumes were also important to the chronology of the play. They reflected the time period and also communicated much to the audience about the character of Ida B. Wells. Throughout the play, the cast stayed in the same costumes. Therefore, when a costume change occurred, the audience knew that it was supposed to be an important scene. For instance, a costume change was used when Ida B. Wells was supposed to meet Ferdinand Barnett at a dance. She is adorned in a bright red ball gown and the fanciness of this gown stands out against the almost empty stage. This is an important scene because she will eventually marry ferdinand Barnett and it is the first time we see Ida B. Wells truly happy. Also, a song was sung about wanting to wear a red dress and not be called a "red", so the costume was more than just a dress, it was a statement.The language used in the play greatly effected the play and effectively appealed to the pathos of the audience. For instance, someone in the play is not merely "shot", his "brains are blown out". This creates a very graphic and violent mental picture for the members of the audience, and draws them further into the story. Also, the eloquence of Ida B. Wells was very prominent. In most literary works or plays, african americans speak with a thick dialect, like Jim in Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn . The perfection of her speech revealed much about her education and social standing and went beyond the audiences expectations for someone of her ethnicity from this time period. I feel that this was an important tool in establishing her as a leader and a powerful figure in the play.The props and special effects in the play were outstanding as well. One of the most striking scenes in the play is when a gun is pointed at the audience while a powerful monolouge is being delievered. The entire audience is staring down the barrel of a ...
