Black When I Was A Boy

Two thumbs up! It's so rare to see a show that is both funny and profound. Cooper's story is unique - you'll never see anything else like it.... full review

Outstanding performance by a great story teller. Cooper Bates will forever impact how you see other people in this world. You will learn that even from a very young age, your actions and words can make a very lasting impression on many people. His performance engages the audience from the start and keeps you connected to his story through out the entire performance.... full review

Cooper Bates gives an honest and brilliant performance as his younger self navigating the audience through his personal experience with racism in small town America. ... full review

Cooper Bates combines writing and acting skill with an engaging personal narrative that encompasses growing up in the 60s, race relations, adolescence, small-town America and a great deal of humor. Bates doesn't skirt the big issues and his performance is direct and effective. Superb. See this show while it is still playing. ... full review

Thoughtful, provoking, uncomfortable storytelling. This was brilliantly written and performed. Cooper brought the audience into his memories and let us see the ugly, painful side of racism. Very powerful and should be seen. Timely and necessary! Absolutely wonderful show!... full review

This is a powerful performance that truly matters in this day and age. The story of what it was like to grow up as a young black boy and endure the racism of the times is both historical and contemporary. It is poignant and it makes you think about how words matter and how they have an enduring impact especially on the life of a child. I found that I was thinking about the stories Cooper told long after the performance ended. A must see.... full review

Black When I Was A Boy is a powerful and moving account that deftly moves from poignant to hilarious to hopeful. ... full review

Honest, raw, hilarious, and tender! A lovely performance. A beautiful voice and a show worth seeing! Cooper is wonderful and his show talks so deeply about race and forgiveness and humanity. Love.... full review

A much needed story to be told of how racism isn't innate...it is learned. The struggles of being "different" and not even knowing it and having to defend what is completely out of our control not to mention something we should all be proud of....which is our differences and uniqueness among each other. If only we could all keep the innocence of our younger selves where we only saw each other as our fellow playmates. Beautifully told. ... full review

Moving coming of age story presented by a skillful and compelling performer. Cooper's character work is excellent, and his earnestness is irresistible. Definitely worth adding to your Fringe schedule!!... full review