MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – The inspirational story of America’s first black professional football player continues to reach new audiences with the showing of “The Black Cyclone” on Jan. 29 and 30 at Mount Vernon Memorial Theater.
It’s the vision of playwright Jim Stoner come to life – telling the little-known story of Charles Follis, a football prodigy who became the first professional football player in America when he was paid to join the Shelby Blues football club. Stoner first started writing the story of Charles Follis in 2011; the Mount Vernon show will be the sixth performance of “The Black Cyclone.”
“We’ve still got an audience for it, and I think it’s the fact that the story is still fresh,” Stoner said. “There are still so many people out there who don’t know the story, and it’s really important.”
One person new to the story of Charles Follis is the actor playing the title character, 29-year-old Damien Beauford. This is Beauford’s first production of “The Black Cyclone” and his first acting venture since middle school.
“Damien brings a real level of enthusiasm and maturity to the role,” Stoner said. “He’s still able to pull off the youthful excitement of a late teen Charles, but because he’s a little older can carry the maturity level, too. He’s been so excited about being a part of the show.”
Beauford said the most surprising thing he learned about the story of Charles Follis is its origin in Shelby, Ohio. He noted the play brings to light social issues that are still prevalent in today’s society.
“Any instance when there is a change that occurs, especially breaking down barriers in history, it needs to be talked about because it may reach a difference audience,” Beauford said. “Racism still exists today, but if this could just touch one person – especially in football – in any capacity getting this story out opening up people’s eyes, it’s needed.”
“The Black Cyclone” is tapping into an even larger audience with recent features on “NFL Films Presents” and “Before the League” presented on Time Warner Sports. This was a selling point for Beauford joining the show.
“To myself I thought, it would be great to be a part of history and any way I could help I could do it,” Beauford said. “There is a bigger picture here. This is a movement and this is history. It’s been a great experience and I’ve learned a lot.”
Sharing the history of Charles Follis is also important to 18-year-old Phineas Stanfield, who plays one of the villains of the show in the character Wendell Kauffman. Stanfield explained his character is inherently racist because of the influences of his hateful father.
“The most challenging part is saying these crazy things but if the audience hates you, you’re doing a good job,” Stanfield said. “I try to make sure it’s not over the top and sensationalized but really delivers the blow it’s supposed to. It’s hard to be evil and nasty to people you are friends with.”
This is the second production of “The Black Cyclone” Stanfield has been a part of, first hearing of the play over the Internet. Though playing a challenging character, Stanfield realizes the importance of including all obstacles in Charles Follis’ path to glory.
“It’s a story about Charles, and the other characters are very much a part of his story – he had to fight for it and earn everything he had, and it definitely built his character,” Stanfield said. “He didn’t just come in and play football, there was a lot of stuff he struggled with and had to put up with. It’s important to show the struggle, not just the successes.”
“The Black Cyclone” will open at the Mount Vernon Memorial Theater on Friday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. and will continue with shows at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30. The show is presented with the assistance of the Mount Vernon Players.
Though his fame comes from being the first black professional football player, those involved in telling the story of Charles Follis are quick to note his story is about much more than football.
“I think it’s really important that we give him the proper recognition where it’s due,” Stanfield said. “It’s about a man of incredible integrity, and it’s important not to lose that behind all the football action.”
For Stoner, continuing to spread this message of integrity and inspiration is worth all the hard work behind staging “The Black Cyclone.”
“That keeps a fire burning within me, and then to see the enthusiasm and the excitement on the faces of the new actors that come on board and the energy they bring to the table; there is always somebody new who embraces it and makes it their story, too,” Stoner said. “I hope I can keep that fire burning until most of America knows who Charles Follis is and what he accomplished.”
For more information about Charles Follis and “The Black Cyclone,” visit www.blackcyclone.org.
