On the surface, &The Trial of One Short-Sighted Black Woman vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae& is a story about a black businesswoman held back by Hollywood stereotypes, but as the play progresses so do lessons of acceptance and independent thought.

Businesswoman Victoria Dryer&s (Brooklynn Solomon) colleagues begin to treat her differently after viewing an old Hollywood movie about slavery, so Dryer decides to sue Mammy Louise (Nzinga Woods) and concubine Safreeta Mae (Seluvala Fonua) who represent black stereotypes.

Victoria believes the stereotypes shown in the movie are holding her back from becoming director of Dust Control and she takes the women, and the stereotypes, to court in attempt to break away from the past.

Upon entering the theater, the audience is immediately thrown into the play. A bailiff asks some to be seated and the judge gets very angry if anyone does not stand as she enters the courtroom.

&The Trial& goes through a series of witnesses to explain why race stereotypes exist. For instance, the stereotype depicts Mammy as the good-natured slave who knows everyone and everything happening on the plantation. Most importantly, she loved her master and was loyal to him.

Through Mammy&s dramatic testimony, we learn the reality of her situation and the truth about what happened to the master. Safreeta is thought of as a slut. She loves to please her master and brags to the other slaves. But, like Mammy, through Safreeta&s testimony we learn the truth is very different than the stereotype.

While the play addresses serious issues, it interjects comedy, as well. Safreeta dances up to the witness box and Mammy is hilarious when asking those around her if they&re hungry.

&One of the biggest difficulties in directing &The Trial& was keeping it interesting. The challenge was to make a court room drama lively and entertaining,& said Buddy Butler, guest director and San Jose State professor.

Brooklynn Solomon, who played Victoria Dryer said, &overall, the play was great,& but that playing someone unlikable and so different from herself was difficult.

One of the most impressive aspects of the play is that students built the entire set.

&Normally, the faculty does part, if not all, of the building at other schools,& Butler said. &I&m very proud of this department.&

For some cast members, &The Trial& is just a play but to others, it&s an attempt to resurrect the Sons & Ancestors dance troop from the &60s and &70s. Andre Ramey, who plays Leroi Johnson, thinks it&s a great idea to bring back Sons &Ancestors.

&It would be great to have different ethnic troops,& Ramey said. &It would give the audience a slice of their real life, not a negative stereotype.&

Butler&s goal is to present an honest representation of people&s lives and also to let the audience laugh at themselves, as well as the performance.

Butler succeeds in accomplishing both these tasks and &The Trial of One Short-Sighted Women vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae& convinces the audience to closely examine the things it takes for granted.

The dramatic African dance and media clips throughout make it so there is never a dull moment. &The Trial& is easy to follow and makes the dramatic statement of not believing everything portrayed in the media. &The Trial& plays again Dec. 2 through 5. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office at 278-4323 or at Tickets.com.