Play takes on excessive police force

The idea of police brutality and use of excessive force has been presented to the public in the form of news stories, fiction and non-fiction books, and now, thanks to the Bloomington Playwrights Project, in the form of a theatrical play.\nSaturday, the BPP proudly presented "The Complaint," its first main-stage series show of the 2004-2005 season. Written by Randy Noojin and directed by Noe Montez, "The Complaint" delves into the world of excessive force by police, entrapment and seduction. Noojin explained his connection to the play, recollecting a run-in with the police. \n"I had an unpleasant incident with a police officer after he stopped me for riding my bicycle on the sidewalk in Iowa. I was treated like a criminal, even though I explained I didn't know the rules." Noojin said. "I felt a lot of anger after that incident and decided to turn it into a play."\nWhen actor Gary Williams files a complaint accusing police Sgt. Archer of using excessive force, Archer reciprocates by sending a beautiful, young undercover cadet to entrap Williams. Then the real question becomes: Who's really playing whom?\n"I related with the character I play in the fact that I'm an actress and my character wanted to become one," said Emily Goodson, an actress who plays multiple roles in the show.\nThe play not only deals with the concept of excessive force, but it also deals with the issue of racial profiling by police.\n"Racial profiling is nothing new, especially in this day and age," said Richard Perez, producing artistic director for the BPP. "However, the show isn't just about black and white; its about how complex the masks we wear are," he said. \nNoojin feels the masks we wear are a direct result of our environment. \n"Depending on who we're with, we wear different masks." \nNoojin's plays have been performed in theaters all over the United States, including Actor's Theatre of Louisville and Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York, as well as international performances in Canada and Australia. Another of Noojin's plays, "Unbeatable Harold," was recently turned into a feature film starring Dylan McDermott, Henry Winkler and Charles Dunning.\nMontez raved about how hard the cast worked and even received compliments regarding their efforts. \n"The entire cast came a long way from our first day," Montez said. "I have a friend who works with many prestigious theater companies, and he said he would be happy to have a cast that worked half as hard as this one did. To see where we've come now is impressive."\nFollowing the Saturday performance, playwright Randy Noojin, along with the cast and crew of "The Complaint," held a feedback session and reception.\n"The idea of the feedback session was for the community to come together and discuss the issues that are presented in the play," Perez said. "It's also a great opportunity for the playwright to answer questions about the show and receive audience feedback."\nPerez said there are many ways to get involved with the BPP.\n"We hold auditions for all shows, and we're always looking for technical crew and other positions. It's a great way for people to continue the craft of acting."\nThe play runs at 8 p.m. through Sept. 11 Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday performance are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for students and seniors. Student rush tickets are $5 and available 10 minutes before the performance if seats are available. All performances are at the BPP, 312 S. Washington St., on the Timothy J. Wiles stage. For more information about the Bloomington Playwrights Project, its shows or how to get involved, visit www.newsplay.org or call the BPP at 334-1188.\n-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Griffin at jdgriffi@indiana.edu.