goTriad.com

During the buildup to World War II, a group of artists, including Orson Welles and Paul Green, banded together to create The Free Company, an organization that created politically charged radio plays. These plays, written and produced for free by the artists, explored issues of social injustice and fundamental American freedoms.

Today, a local group is picking up where The Free Company left off, producing their own socially conscious radio dramas.

"This past summer, while still searching for ways to engage listeners to think about societal norms, democracy and what it means to be American, I found some wonderful plays from The Free Company," says Shelly Walker, a DJ at Guilford College's WQFS 90.9 FM. "The first broadcast (of an Orson Welles play) received a great response from listeners. And I thought, we should create our own radio plays that are entertaining, as well as give folks food for thought."

And so the "Hit and Run Radio" project was born. Walker named the project after a form of impromptu street theater, intended to surprise and provoke thought in unsuspecting audiences.

"We hope the performances will be very entertaining," says Walker. "And like a 'hit and run' we're hoping that a listener's "Hit and Run Radio" experience will somehow change the course of their day, by giving them something to ponder."

Through Walker's radio show, "Counterfolks" (a nod to the famous N.C. A&T students' Woolworth sit-ins), she's reached a number of local artists willing to donate their time and talent to this project.

"Already over 20 community members have gotten involved in one way or another," says Walker. "Either writing scripts, offering voiceover talent, sound effects and sound engineering talent, and the number keeps growing."

Although the group hopes to begin producing its own original dramas, the first locally produced broadcast, which aired Sept. 10, featured another classic play.

"It was an old Whistler script now in the public domain, called 'Beyond Reasonable Doubt,'" says Walker. "But we've added a new twist, with a new character, the 'Whistle Blower,' to give a counter view and hopefully a more in-depth thought process to explain how social injustice might lead a person to crime."

Right now, the group is working on its next broadcast, a yet-to-be-determined play, and also accepting original script submissions from members of the community. They also hope to stage a performance live on the air; a prospect that Walker believes will engage audiences in a powerful way.

"There was a decision made to tape our productions for a bit, while we are getting to know the ins and outs of what we are trying to do," says Walker.

"Eventually, we would like to do some live performances from the WQFS station. I think the energy of a live performance would be tangible even to folks listening out over the airwaves."

So far, the project has been a success, with a strong response from the community.

"Since the idea was born, it has gotten a wonderful response from community members in Greensboro," says Walker. "Some folks are really supportive listeners who want to hear the plays, and other folks have wanted to get involved. Like The Free Company project, this is an all volunteer project with everyone offering their talent and equipment, just for the love of it."