Staxis

What inspired you to write this play?

I’d recently broken up a fight on the CTA between two teenagers, one black and one brown. The fight left their noses bloodied, and all I could offer was a COVID mask to stop the bleeding. I’d also recently witnessed protests at Northwestern University for Palestine and the rights of International Graduate Students. When asked to write for the DuSable, I felt the thread of history tug me towards MLK’s struggles during the Chicago Freedom Movement, photographed by John Tweedle. The photos were in black and white, but in my eyes, they were contemporary history and the near future, repeating a necessity for collective action.

Production History

“Staxis” was written and produced for A Night With You: a writer-centered site-specific theatrical event presented by The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in partnership with Second Site. This play has been slightly updated after its premiere performance.

Produced by: Second Site (Nathaniel Andrew, Lead Artist and Jenni Lamb, Producer)

Directed by: Elana Elyce

Performances by: Brandon Sapp, Dionne Addai, and Kris Lantzy