On this selected shorts program, we're revisiting one of the most important voices in the American literary canon, Langston Hughes.

He came to prominence in the Harlem Renaissance, but was a groundbreaking and influential writer throughout his life.

I'm your host, Tegel F. Bouget.

Join me for memorable stories that tackle race, class, and identity.

I even get to read one. You're listening to Selected Shorts, where our greatest actors transport us through the magic of fiction, one short story at a time.

Hi, I'm Tegel-Lef Bouget.

I recently returned from England where I had the honor of speaking the words of James Baldwin

in a West End and touring run of the famous Baldwin-Buckley-Cambridge debate from 1965.

Is the American Dream at the expense of the American Negro?

Years ago, I created the character of The Invisible Man

in the world premiere stage adaptation of Ralph Ellison's iconic novel of the same name.

Here in New York City, I've had the good fortune to appear in 13 productions

for the New York Shakespeare Festival, nine of them in Central Parks Delacourt Theatre.

James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, William Shakespeare,

and now my good fortune continues with this program

celebrating Langston Hughes.

Though he often looked slight and elegant in photographs, Hughes, who was born in

1991, was a literary giant and leading figure in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s.

His poetry, novels, short stories, and plays reflected the Black experience and spoke directly

to his community.

Here at Selected Shorts, we're in the performance and sound business,

and what we especially cherish about Hughes's work

...