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“Living History Portrayal” Offers Window into the Life and Works of Author Langston Hughes

SARASOTA, FL, (February 10, 2006) – Actor Bob Devin Jones offered a fascinating “living history portrayal” of author Langston Hughes on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus on Thursday, February 9^th.

Influenced by the Bible, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Walt Whitman, James Langston Hughes (1902-1967), was a leading light of the Harlem Renaissance, whose poetry, novels, plays, and essays celebrated African-American culture, humor, and spirituality.

Pat Lakey, Diversity and Disabilities Coordinator, explained that the portrayal, in which the performer assumed the identity of the historic figure, was designed to enlighten and entertain both those who are very familiar with the author’s work as well as those who are just discovering the brilliance of Langston Hughes.

"Bob Devin Jones really brought Langston Hughes to life," said Lakey. "I think everyone came away with a better appreciation for Hughes' literary and cultural contributions."

Jones’ performance was preceded by a session by the Jazz in the Chapel Trio from the First United Methodist Church in downtown Sarasota. 

Bob Devin Jones is a performer, writer, and director who lives in St. Petersburg. He has trained at the American Conservatory Theatre of San Francisco and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art of London and holds a Masters degree from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.

For the past six seasons, Bob has been resident director for the Low Country Shakespeare Festival in Beaufort, South Carolina. He recently launched the Studio @620, a creative venue in St. Petersburg.

The event was sponsored USF Sarasota-Manatee, Student Government Association, the Florida Humanities Council, and the Florida Academy of African-American Culture.

 Established in 1973 as a private non-profit organization, the Florida Humanities Council (FHC) is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. FHC uses the disciplines of the humanities to develop public programs and resources that explore Florida's history, literary and artistic traditions, cultural values and ethics.

USF Sarasota-Manatee is an upper-level campus – serving people with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree seeking a baccalaureate or master’s degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit. The regional campus offers the prestige of a national Research I university with the convenience of a hometown campus, including classes in south Sarasota County at the Manatee Community College Venice site.