Season 18

Eight short plays about legislative changes that will address the systemic oppression of Black folx in America.

• DEFUNDING POLICE:
  The Obedient Mirage by Roney Jones
  As tensions with protestors rise outside of the Vaughn home over the murder of Dashawn Bashaam, a Black police officer and his family navigate emotional conversations around implicit bias, police accountability, and individual responsibility.
• REPARATIONS:
  Reap the Reparations by Alric Davis 
  It’s your favorite game show “The Blackest of the Day!” Tune in to this game show spoof to see who our good friend Uncle Sam chooses to dole out reparations to. But be careful, one wrong answer will get your Black card revoked!
• REDUCING PRISON POPULATIONS:
  What Happens There by Savina Barini
  Maria is running for District Attorney as a prison abolitionist even in spite of her traumatic past with Albert. As the two grapple with their shared history, they unlock compelling notions about prison reform.
• DECRIMINALIZING SEX WORK:
  Tiffany’s by Emmanuel Key
  Another late night at Tiffany’s, a magical diner for the underbelly of American society. Looking to hide, Neith stumbles into the diner and finds herself on a journey of self-discovery and transformation.
• ENDING CASH BAIL:
  Either You Got It or You Don’t by Kayla Parker
  It’s 4th of July weekend, and five different folx from five different walks of life are each trying to make bail. Each gets a phone call. Each has a story. Each has a choice. Or do they?
• BANNING STOP AND FRISK:
  It’s a New Age, Mammy! by Tehya Merritt
  Every afternoon Mammy loves to tune in to her favorite show, but today something is different. The characters aren’t “shucking and jiving” like they normally do! A gripping satire, this short play examines the policy of stop and frisk.
• DROPPING CHARGES AGAINST PROTESTERS:
  The Death of the Wonderkid by Naima Randolph
  Wonderkid, a child superhero has grown up in the public eye. He’s super-fast and a shining example for his community. Now as a grown up, has the world changed? Is there space for a Black superhero in a world that views protestors as villains?
• ADDRESSING SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINES:
  Criminalize Me by Carmin Wong
  How do young people navigate a system that doesn’t validate their humanity? Wisdom has a secret she’s been keeping from her best friend Rah. That secret  could rock the foundation of their friendship, school, and community. Who can she tell?

Special thanks to regional nonprofit partners for their work in the development of these plays: ACLU of Ohio, Black Lives Matter Houston, Southern Organizers Academy, Project SAFE, Florida Dream Defenders, Southerners on New Ground (SONG), St.Louis Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, and Cyphers for Justice.