Black When I Was A Boy

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 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

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

#SeeItLA Black When I Was a Boy is a series of stories that chronicle the defining moments of a young boy's life growing up in the 70s-80s as a black boy in a predominantly white Kansas town. As you can imagine, these moments revolve around the color of his skin. Namely his introductions to racism and how he learned to live in a world that hated him before they ever met him. To read the full review please visit the See It or Skip It website - http://seeitorskipitla.tumblr.com/post/174671173336/black-when-i-was-a-boy-is-a-series-of-stories-that... full review

wow, cooper puts it on the line in this high energy and touching, riveting and thought provoking one man show... full review

This was a great solo performance! Cooper Bates is a great story teller and I felt as though I was sharing his journey as a young boy trying to navigate life as a black child growing up in mostly white community. It was an emotional ride through happiness, sadness, anger, frustration and understanding. Worth every minute. ... full review

WOW! The show was amazing. Brought tears to my eyes at the end. Cooper did a tremendous job playing all the different characters in his story of growing up in a racist part of our country. I highly recommend the show to ALL.... full review

This was a unique and incredible story perforned by an equally unique and incredible talent. It brought to life one child's personal journey through racism while growing up and finding his stride. I really loved this performance and only wished it was longer!... full review