Сast

• Written by Octavia Washington
• Starring Mazvita Chanakira as Em
• Ben Ranalli as the Stage Manager/Ex
• Dominique Payne as the Crew/Family/Penny
• Music by Charmaine Elejonu & Abby Antias

Synopsis: Today, Em turns an undetermined age. To celebrate, she’s hosting her own (mandatory) birthday party inside of a theater, where she’s also kidnapped, trapped, and bound her entire family. Joining her on her first production are a ragtag team of run crew and a very competent stage manager Craigslist. As her distant family attempts to break free, she discusses everyone and everything she hates (that also hate her) in a series of multimedia presentations, mostly anchored around one question: Why is the world so difficult for Black women?

Octavia Washington is a New Yorker, fashion nerd, writer, and dramaturg. She’s a graduate of Carleton College with a degree in English and is currently a candidate for a Master’s degree in Dramaturgy at Columbia University. Her work has been published in Torch Literary Art’s Online Archive and in Venus Theatre’s Frozen Women/Flowing Thoughts. Outside of academia, she can be found shopping until dropping, probably, or on Instagram as Editor of @queerdearmag.

Additional information about the evening:

The Sanctuary will open at 6:45 pm.

The Reading starts just after 7 pm.

The Sanctuary is handicapped accessible. Hearing-assisted devices are available upon request.

Pre-theater special! Come early (6-7 pm) and enjoy some tasty Mardi Gras refreshments in the Daniel Russell Room (located on the first floor of the Church House). Hosted by The Deacons of Rutgers Church.

Free!

Registration