While some Ohio University students sat in their residence hall rooms last weekend to watch the latest movies on CATVision, others walked Uptown for a free taste of Broadway.

Held in Kantner Hall, Ntozake Shange's 1975 Broadway hit, "For colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf," attracted more than 150 students.

As a collaborative effort between L&L, a Latimore-Lee Production, and OU's Young, Black and Talented Entertainment Troupe, the production was designed to bring awareness to the OU community about issues affecting African-American women.

As the only two African-American women majoring in theater at OU, seniors Meritt Latimore and Cindi Lee said the successful performance of this production was important.

"It is a need for something positive in the Athens community that deals with people of color," Latimore said. "Within the School of Theater, there is nothing that supports African-American students."

As audience members watched the performers adorn the stage in colorful outfits, they also listened to the serious messages the performers had to share.

Combined with a blend of music, dance and poetry, the performers told the stories of seven African-American women.

They shared stories dealing with abortion, rape, domestic violence, relationships and the way African-American women are viewed by society.

Although most stories were about controversial issues, the performers also shared more positive and light-hearted stories such as the importance of self-love and sisterhood.

One performer said the theatrical production represents the experiences of black women well.

"Theater in this community does not represent what black people stand for," senior Ra-Deon Kirkland said.

"However, this play uplifts black women while identifying and sharing our experiences with each other and the OU community," Kirkland said.

One student said she related to some of the stories shared by the performers.

"It was surprising that I could feel some of the words and stories," senior Wendy Higgins said. "It was artistically superb."