This month, 140 juniors and seniors from YES Prep Public Schools attended a performance of Fences at Alley Theatre through a collaboration supported by the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Arts Resource Grant. Written by renowned playwright August Wilson, Fences explores family, identity, generational struggles, and the lasting impact of racial discrimination through the story of Troy Maxson and his family. For many students, the experience brought the pages they studied in class to life in a powerful and emotional way. 

Below, YES Prep East End Secondary juniors Pablo Sanchez and Ismael Martinez, both selected as the May AP English Literature Students of the Month for James T. Sheridan’s AP English Literature class, share their reflections on reading Fences and seeing the production performed live.

Pablo Sanchez, 11th Grade, YES Prep East End Secondary 

I first read Fences on my Junior Spring Trip; I had been putting it off for a while because I never really wanted to read it honestly, but I never expected it to be as good as it was. At first, I did not think much of the character of Troy Maxson. I thought he was just a man who was upset about being discriminated [against] and unjustly having to pick up trash instead of being given the opportunity to drive. The more I read, the more engaged I got, and I absolutely loved explaining it to everyone who had no idea what it was about. I would recommend it to everyone who cannot find a book that will interest them enough to read it fully. If they enjoyed the book enough, seeing the play is the cherry on the top. 

Going to the Alley Theatre was such a wonderful experience. I have gone twice, if I am not mistaken, but one of the times it was to see Real Women Have Curves, but sadly it was canceled due to an emergency. This time everything went as planned, and I had a great seat; once the play started, it was just as I imagined it while I was reading. I was shocked at how everyone was able to get into character and act so well in such a small but intricate set. More specifically, David Rainey, who played Troy, as everyone was getting ready to set the scene, he looked out into the crowd, and it was like he flipped a switch, and no one was there. I felt engulfed in the scene. Michelle Elaine, who played Rose, gave me chills listening to her deliver her lines. When Troy told her about his affair, I could hear the vulnerability in her voice. The entire cast honestly did a tremendous job, and I truly appreciated the hard work and dedication everyone took to embody their characters. I myself am not very knowledgeable about Black history or culture, but I felt very touched by the universal story and its various interpretations. 

 

Ismael Martinez, 11th Grade AP English Literature, YES Prep East End Secondary 

My experience reading Fences was surreal. At first, I had been regaled for its greatness by Mr. Sheridan, and after having some time after my STAAR test, I read it and realized just how beautiful this story was. Fences is more than just an average story; it’s a portrayal of the struggle that people go through every day, highlighting the generational struggle of Black people whether that be from poverty, racial bias, or crime. August Wilson does a magnificent job at defining the pain and struggle that families go through and how to break out of the cycle of struggle. 

The book’s beauty was brought into reality when I was able to watch the Alley Theatre’s production of Fences last week as part of the Arts Resource Grant given to YES Prep East End Secondary from The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and I can guarantee that everyone in those seats were brought to tears just as I was. The emotional pain that the actors brought into their characters and the quirks that made these characters unique were so vibrant it could outshine the very sun itself. I was moved with every step and every boom of Troy's voice, every cry that Rose let out, and the frustration of Cory was enough to leave me breathless with every second of the play. If reading Fences was a journey, then watching the play was an adventure of struggle and pain that leaves no room for want.