Film Lens
OT: Our Town is a documentary directed by Scott Hamilton Kennedy, set at Dominguez High School in Compton, California. The film captures the efforts of two teachers and twenty-four students as they adapt Thornton Wilder's 1938 play Our Town to reflect the diverse ethnic background of their community in the year 2000. The school had not produced a play in twenty years and lacked a budget and a stage, which adds context to their ambitious project.
The documentary follows the rehearsals and the personal struggles of the students leading up to their performance on June 8–10, 2000, in the school's cafeteria. It emphasizes the transformation of the original play, set in an all-white small town, into a version that resonates with the realities of the students' lives in Compton, showcasing their creativity and determination despite the challenges they face.
Why Watch
- •Meet the students of Dominguez High School.
- •See the adaptation of Our Town for a modern audience.
- •Follow the journey of teachers overcoming budget issues.
Did You Know
•Dominguez High School had not produced a play in twenty years.
•The performance took place in the school's cafeteria on June 8–10, 2000.
•The film won the Audience Award at the Aspen Filmfest.
•Twenty-four students participated in the adaptation of Our Town.
Perfect For
High school theater enthusiastsDocumentary film fansCompton history buffs