The choice of Streamers was a difficult one for William's and student Theater Guild producer Sol Lipman for several reasons. There are only 10 roles, none for women, graphic language and controversial themes. The writer doesn't pull any punches. His writing cuts across the heart of various issue and at the same time shows a genuine, clear, positive relationship between blacks and whites. Though set almost thirty years ago, Streamers is a hotbed of contemporary issues, including racism, gays in the military, and the Black male experience in America.
Streamers has a realness in it for today's times.
When William's came to UCSC six ears ago, after years of directing Black theater troupes in Michigan and at the University of Southern California, he found a definite lack of productions by and about African Americans. I didn't see any doors open, and it took time to open those doors. It has been an eye-opening experience for many of the students involved. Eric Johnson plays Carlyle, a bisexual Watts ghetto survivor. Jackson says he believes the importance of the African American Theater Arts Troupe lies in its mission of providing the community with a more diverse range of plays than is usually offered.