“‘Every 28 Hours’ is an invitation to a different kind of witnessing of many different perspectives in the wake of what some have called ‘The Ferguson Moment,’ following the death of Mike Brown,” said Joan Lipkin, Producing Artistic Director of That Uppity Theatre Company.
For those who crammed into the Dellwood Community Center last October for the “Every 28 Hours” debut, it was easy to see themselves in the moment, which ultimately became a movement.
The series of 71 one-minute plays were a reflection of the outrage in Ferguson, but also covered the series of tragedies – and responses – that birthed the Black Lives Matter trajectory.
Founded by One-Minute Play Festival Artistic Director, Dominic D’Andrea and Oregon Shakespeare Festival Producer, Claudia Alick, the play is the work of a national partnership that focuses on the widely shared statistic that every 28 hours in America, a black person falls target to systemic violence and is killed by the police, vigilante, or security guard.
Just after the one-year anniversary of its national debut in St. Louis, local audiences will have another opportunity to see the production when two area arts institutions host performances of the production starting this weekend.
“Every 28 Hours” will come to the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) on October 15. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis will host a performance on Monday, October 24th at 8pm..
“Working together as a community of theatre artists, perhaps we can do some small part to help our hometown laugh, cry, and heal through the power of our art form,” said Seth Gordon, Associate Artistic Director of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
Watching the original production during its premiere proved to be a transformative experience. The audience saw art imitate the moment in our backyard that captured the world’s attention. Acclaimed playwrights expressed and validated the experiences of those caught up in what could only be described as “history in real time.” And their creative response to our community’s turmoil was authentic, yet non-exploitive. Each of the minute-long glimpses layered on insight and perspective.
“This collection of short plays unfolds like a kaleidoscope, building upon each other,” Lipkin said.
Acclaimed playwrights Keith Josef Adkins, Migdalia Cruz, Kristoffer Diaz, Colman Domingo, Idris Goodwin, Kirsten Greenidge, David Henry Hwang, Neil LaBute, Jacqueline E. Lawton, Lisa Loomer, Tarell Alvin MacCraney, Dominique Morisseau, Stew and Lynn Nottage, Jerome A. Parker, Aaron Posner, Robert Schenkkan, Universes, Anu Yadav were among those who added the layers of color via their storytelling for “Every 28 Hours.”
The fear, the heartbreak, the anger – and the disgust and frustration with the scenario constantly repeating itself were included in the diverse mix of narratives.
Nine of the plays were written by St. Louis natives – including Lipkin. Other local playwrights include Nancy Bell, Marty Casey, Basmin Red Deer, Matthew Kerns, Stephen Peirick, Mariah Richardson, Rick Trumble, and Kelley Weber.
The Black Rep, Center of Creative Arts (COCA), Mustard Seed Theatre, One-Minute Play Festival, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Show Me Arts Academy, Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, That Uppity Theatre Company, Washington University Dance Collective, Claudia Alick, Marty C. Casey, Dominic D’Andrea, Adam Flores, Seth Gordon, Joan Lipkin, Carl Overly, Cecil Slaughter, Ashley Tate and Jacqueline Thompson are just some of the local collaborating partners.
“I am touched by the efforts of many different local groups to add these events to their busy fall schedules so we can be part of both a local and national conversation,” Lipkin said.
“Every 28 Hours” will come to the Center of Creative Arts (COCA), 524 Trinity Ave, St. Louis, MO 63130at 8 p.m. on October 15. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (130 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO 63119) will be hosting a performance on Monday, October 24th at 8pm. Both performances will be free of charge.
