The Ensemble Theatre honored the life and legacy of Reverend Bill Lawson and his wife, Audrey Lawson, with a play.
The Lawsons: A Civil Rights Love Story
"The Lawsons: A Civil Rights Love Story" will open from Feb. 27 until Mar. 13 at the Ensemble Theater.
Click2Houston reported that the play will feature the love story of Reverend William "Bill" Lawson and his late wife, Audrey Lawson.
The renowned Houstonians were the founders of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and were instrumental in the historical fight for civil rights in Houston.
The play revolves around the over 100 love letters exchanged by the two over the years.
According to a report by ABC13, the notes started when the dorm mates of Audrey Lawson dared her to write the man back in 1952. The reverend recalled the first letters that they sent to each other. The reverend's letter even included a self-portrait sketch and his stylized name.
The letters are now digitized and made available in the Houston area digital archives of the Houston Public Library.
KPRC2's Andy Cerota interviewed the playwright, composer, and some of the actors of the play.
According to playwright Melda Beaty, the play is not just a Houston story but a Worldwide story. She added that it is about the fight for equality, how love transcends all and the power of faith.
Dr. Charisse Barron, the composer for the play, said that it gave them the chance to memorialize the work that the Lawsons have done for the city.
The actor and actress who played the couple also thanked the Lawsons for their contributions to society. Lakeisha Randle Koontz said, "I want to see so much of Audrey in myself. It means a lot to have an example of greatness."
Reverend Bill Lawson
ABC13 reported on the life of Reverend William Lawson. The report by Melanie Lawson, daughter of the reverend, commemorated how the pastor "successfully integrated the city of Houston quietly and peacefully."
They added that through his efforts, Houston had become the most diverse city in America.
Lawson became a minister at the early age of 16 in Kansas City. According to him, he never has thought or dreamt that he would be a preacher as he wanted to be a cartoonist. The would-be pastor even had the chance to submit his work to Walt Disney.
He was then invited by letter to lead the Baptist Student Union at Texas Southern University.
As reported, he recalled how he got "dragged" into the fight for civil rights during the time of Rosa Parks' arrest in Alabama. The pastor led the students into the start of their quiet demonstrations for their fight for equality and justice at Houston's Third Ward.
Reverend Lawson's Living Legacy
Today, the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church has over 12,000 members in its congregation. The church continues to serve the community with outreach programs.
In 1996, the Houston Community celebrated the reverend's 50 years of service as a minister. They created the William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity, or WALIPP.
The non-profit agency has created two single-gender charter schools and 50 apartment units for seniors in the Third Ward.
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