I auditioned while I was in New York doing "The Lion King." I had worked with the director, Kenny Leon, back in Atlanta, so he just asked me to come in and read a couple of scenes. I had read the play, and I am a big fan of Lorraine Hansberry. It was such an honor to even be considered for this movie because it's so legendary.
I play Travis Younger, the son of Walter Lee (P. Diddy). His family was poor and he slept on the couch. He feels the struggle that the Younger family is going through, proving that kids as well as adults were affected by this family crisis.
The biggest challenge was that this was a period film and the time setting was one where racism was still very active. There were scenes that referred to racism and it was tough reliving that, but it was part of what makes the film so authentic. I think the last scene is the best. It is the one where we move out of the projects and Lena forgets her favorite plant. She goes back and Walter Lee is at the door holding it in her hands. It shows that people can change.
Another challenge - this one was pretty funny - was that the story is set in springtime but we were filming in Canada in wintertime. So we'd have to act like we were warm, but we were actually freezing!
It was an honor to work with so many great people. They were all so down to earth and treated me as a professional, not as a kid, which made me respect them even more. "A Raisin in the Sun" was the first TV movie in history to be invited to the Sundance Film Festival, and it was exciting to be a part of that. The entire cast was invited, and it was my first time going. It was a great experience and I got a chance to see a lot of great movies. I really hope I can be asked to come out again.
"A Raisin in the Sun"
Based on Lorraine Hansberry's play that inspired a generation, "A Raisin in the Sun" tells the story of a family living and struggling on Chicago's South Side in the 1950s. A fiercely moving portrait of people whose hopes and dreams are constantly deferred, it was the first play written by an African-American woman to be produced on Broadway.
Sean Combs reprises the role of Walter Lee, Jr. in Sony Pictures Television's adaptation. The award-winning cast from the Broadway revival recreate their roles for the film, including Emmy and Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, Tony Award nominee Sanaa Lathan, and "ER" star John Stamos.
In 2008, “A Raisin in the Sun” was nominated for three Emmy™ Awards, including Outstanding Made for Television Movie. Phylicia Rashad was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie and Audra McDonald for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie.
