SHELBY, Ohio – The Shelby Community Improvement Corporation, the City of Shelby and local playwright Jim Stoner will present “The Black Cyclone,” a historical drama, which tells the story of Charles Follis, the first black professional football player in America.
This little known story, which largely took place between Wooster and Shelby, and is substantiated by the NFL Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress, will be staged with local actors on Aug. 7 and 8 at Shelby Senior High School. Shows will start at 7:30 p.m. each night and there will be a matinee at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 8, which will be a total of three shows.
“The Black Cyclone” chronicles the life and struggles of Charles Follis (nicknamed “The Black Cyclone”) and how his faith, ability and demeanor caught the attention of Frank Schiffer, owner and manager of the Shelby Football Team. The Shelby Football Team was a powerhouse in the original Ohio Football League, which predates the NFL.
In planning discussions for the play, the Shelby community has expressed a great deal of enthusiasm and Mayor Steven Schag summed it up with the statement, “This is our story to tell.”
This story has been featured on “NFL Films Presents” and will be showcased on a nationally televised Time Warner documentary entitled “The Origins of the NFL.”
The show has been performed at Malabar Farm twice in 2013 and 2014 and was recently performed at the King Arts Complex in Columbus with the support of the Archie and Donita Griffin Scholarship Fund.
This large-cast play requires actors of all ages, colors, and backgrounds, particularly young people and teen boys (football players).
There will be three audition times on May 30 at various places:
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Shelby Performing Arts Center, 1 Whippet Way, Shelby.
1 to 3 p.m. at Richland Academy, 75 N. Walnut St., Mansfield.
4 to 6 p.m. at the Episcopal Church Annex, Mt. Vernon.
Actors should prepared with a reading of their choice.
For more information, visit www.blackcyclone.org or contact Jim Stoner at 740.504.9399.
