Oakland

Oakland Actor, Director Michael Lange, 65

Published

9 years ago

May 30, 2015

By Rasheed Shabazz

Oakland actor, director, playwright and filmmaker Michael Lange died on May 20. He was 65.

Lange is best known for his fiery portrayal of Malcolm X. He performed speeches like “Message to the Grassroots” and “The Ballot of the Bullet” since 1990. He also performed in Jeff Stetson’s award-winning play “The Meeting,” portraying a fictitious meeting between Malcolm and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In 2014, Lange portrayed the role of Elijah Muhammad in Larry Americ Allen’s “The Expulsion of Malcolm X.”

As a director, Lange directed “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men”, “The Old Settler” and “Firing Blanks at Moving Targets” and, this past January, “Lord Why Can’t I Do Right.” As a playwright, he wrote a musical drama on the life of Nat Turner called “Prophet Nat,” focused on the historical revolt in 1831.

Born January 2, 1949 in Oakland, California to Ted and Geraldine (Jerri) L. Lange, he attended Santa Fe Elementary School, Golden Gate Junior High School and Oakland Technical High School.

He received his Bachelors in Political Science from UC Berkeley in 1973. He later attended California State University, Hayward for his Master’s in Public Administration.

Lange proudly served Oakland residents through the Office of Parks and Recreation for 37 years. He began in 1968 as a part-time day camp counselor at Redwood Day Camp, teaching art to children.

From 1971 to 1981, he was director of the Senior Citizens Program at Mosswood Park.

From 1974 to 1988, he was Children’s Camp Director at Feather River Arts Camp. He was Feather River Camp Manager from 1988 to 1991 and Camp Supervisor from 1991 through 2003.

Lange later managed the Alice Arts Center (now Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts) and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center. He retired as a program analyst for the Cultural Arts Division at the city.

Since 1998, Lange was a lecturer at San Jose State University.

Lange is survived by his mother, pioneering radio and TV personality Geraldine Lange; his brothers Ted Lange and James Cowan; and his sister Jana Lange.

“Michael was loved by everyone whose lives he touched,”said Jerri Lange.

Lange’s likeness was included on a 2014 mural at Alice and 14th streets – across from the Malonga Center, in recognition of his contributions to Black arts in Oakland.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

City Council Set to Approve Sale of City Land for Luxury Apartment Tower

Don't Miss

Oakland Unified Celebrates 1,000 African American Honor Roll Students

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Bay Area

BART to Retire Legacy Trains in Public Ceremony April 20

Published

1 week ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

The Richmond Standard

Bay Area Rapid Transit’s final dispatch of legacy trains will take place on Saturday, April 20, and will be accompanied by a retirement ceremony and a final legacy ride.

At 1 p.m., the public is invited to celebrate the last run of BART’s legacy trains during a ceremony that will take place in the free area of the plaza at MacArthur Station in Oakland.

Following the ceremony, the public is invited to board a legacy train and ride from MacArthur to Fremont Station, mirroring the initial service BART provided when it opened Sept. 11, 1972.

“It’s a 45-minute trip that travels along approximately 24 miles of the original section of tracks,” BART officials said.

Multiple legacy trains will run for the event, and all will make station stops and may turn around at Bay Fair depending on the number of attendees waiting to ride. Regular fares will apply.

“These train cars are part of the history of the Bay Area,” said Bob Powers, BART general manager. “While we are excited to modernize the system, we recognize the profound cultural importance of these cars, and we want to celebrate their rich history and give them a proper send off.”

BART is now running train cars from its Fleet of the Future project.

Those nostalgic for the older trains will be able to view three of them soon at Western Railway Museum in Suisun City.

A handful of other legacy cars will be transferred to be repurposed for short-term rentals, entertainment venues, and training facilities, according to BART. Most of the legacy cars have been recycled.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Bay Area

Mind, Body, and Spiritual Well-Being for Women Addressed in NAACP Forum in Oakland

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is proud to announce the upcoming “Total You – Mind, Body, and Spirit Women’s Health Forum” scheduled for April 27 at Acts Full Gospel Church. Running from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1034 66th Ave., this forum aims to provide an empowering platform for women to engage in discussions, gain knowledge, and access resources pertaining to their health and well-being.

Published

1 week ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

The panel will address various aspects of women’s health, including physical, mental and emotional well-being and relationships. iStock photo by Jorge Elizaquibel.

Special to The Post

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is proud to announce the upcoming “Total You – Mind, Body, and Spirit Women’s Health Forum” scheduled for April 27 at Acts Full Gospel Church.

Running from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1034 66^th Ave., this forum aims to provide an empowering platform for women to engage in discussions, gain knowledge, and access resources pertaining to their health and well-being.

The forum will feature renowned experts, healthcare professionals, and advocates from Genentech, John Muir Health, Sutter Health of The East Bay, Kaiser Permanente, and the Alameda County Public Health Department.

Our expert panel will address various aspects of women’s health, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and healthy relationships. The forum will encompass a wide range of topics such as breast cancer, menopause, reproductive health, nutrition, mental health awareness, preventive care, and much more.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend informative sessions, interactive workshops, and panel discussions led by experts in their respective fields. Additionally, there will be wellness activities, screenings, and informational booths offering valuable resources and support.

This forum is open to women of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging inclusivity and diversity in the conversation surrounding women’s health. Whether you’re seeking information for yourself, a loved one, or simply looking to connect with other women, this event promises to be enlightening and empowering.

For more information and to register for the Total You Women’s Health Forum, please visit https://www.naacpoakland.org/ or contact Dr. Delores Thompson. WIN chairwoman at (510) 328-3638.

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is dedicated to empowering women, and young teen girls. We look forward to your participation in this important event.

To register, go to https://www.naacpoakland.org/events/the-total-you-womens-health-forum