Biography

Born on July 2, 1935 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ed Bullins attended Philadelphia public schools before he dropped out of Benjamin Franklin High School because he found it unchallenging. After joining the U.S. Navy in 1952, he won a lightweight boxing championship and started self-study through correspondence courses. In 1989, he earned his B.A. degree in English and playwriting from Antioch University in San Francisco, California. Bullins then received his M.F.A. degree from San Francisco State University in 1994.

In 1958, Bullins moved to Los Angeles, earned his general education diploma, and attended Los Angeles City College. Moving to San Francisco in 1964, Bullins entered a college writing program. In 1965, his plays How Do You Do, Dialect Determinism, and Clara’s Ole Man were staged at the Firehouse Repertory Theatre in San Francisco. With poet Amiri Baraka, Bobby Seale, Huey Newton, and Eldridge Cleaver, Bullins founded the cultural and political organization Black House and worked as its cultural director. Later, he served as minister of culture for the Black Panther Party.

In 1967, Bullins started his six-year association with Robert McBeth’s New Lafayette Theatre in New York City and he became its playwright-in-residence. Also the editor of Black Theatre magazine, Bullins wrote and produced many plays during his time at the Lafayette. (Full Bio)

Plays

CLARA’S OLE MAN (1965) 

Ed Bullins' short play takes place in a South Philadelphia kitchen, where an Ivy League-educated man comes to court a young woman. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 9 (4f, 5m)

Characters: Clara, Big Girl, Jack, Baby Girl, Miss Famie, Stoogie, Bama, Hoss, C.C. 

Publication: Ed Bullins: Twelve Plays & Selected Writings. Edited by Mike Sell. University of Michigan Press, 2006. (Link)

HOW DO YOU DO? (1965)

Subtitled “A Nonsense Drama,” this absurdist one-act centers on an encounter between a middle-class Black couple and a working-class Black man.

Cast Requirement: 3 (1f, 2m)

Characters: Paul, Dora, Roger

Publication: Ed Bullins: Twelve Plays & Selected Writings. Edited by Mike Sell. University of Michigan Press, 2006. (Link)

DIALECT DETERMINISM (OR THE RALLY) (1965)

Satire about a bizarre meeting of Blacks in which their leader toys with different identities.

Cast Requirement: 12 (4f, 8m)

Characters: Boss Brother, The Visitor, The Doorman, Loud Brother, First Brother, Second Brother, Young Sister, Fat Sister, Spirit of Malcolm X, Old Sister, Good Sister, The Serene Man 

Publication: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. Morrow, 1973. (Link)

IT HAS NO CHOICE (1966)

A woman tries to sever her relationship with her black lover.

Cast Requirement: 2 (1f, 1m)

Characters: Grace, Steve

Publication Info: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. Morrow, 1973. (Link)

THE THEME IS BLACKNESS (1966)

Taking inspiration from West African philosophy, this conceptual performance piece asks its audience to think of Blackness as removed from the physical body. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 1 (1any)

Characters: Speaker

Publication: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. Morrow, 1973. (Link)

A STREET PLAY (1966)

A suggested dialogue about political-racial events. 

Cast Requirement: 2 (2any)

Characters: Actor 1, Actor 2

Publication: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. Morrow, 1973. (Link)

THE ELECTRONIC NIGGER (1968)

A satire about the failure of a writer to hold his own against a Negro programmed to defend statistics, law and order.

Cast Requirement: 9 (4f, 5m)

Characters: Mr. Jones, Lenard, Miss Moskowitz, Mr. Carpentier, Bill, Sue, Martha, any number of interracial students

Publication: Ed Bullins: Twelve Plays & Selected Writings. Edited by Mike Sell. University of Michigan Press, 2006. (Link)

GOIN’ A BUFFALO (1968) 

A group of black people in early 1960s Los Angeles try to escape the cycle of crime that dominates their lives and start over in Buffalo, New York. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 14+

Characters: Curt, Rich, Pandora, Art, Mamma Too Tight, Shaky, Piano Player, Bass Player, Drummer, Bartender, Deeny, Bouncer, Customers, Showgirl, Voice

Publication Info: Five Plays: Goin' A Buffalo; In the Wine Time; A Son, Come Home; The Electronic Nigger; Clara's Ole Man. Bobbs-Merrill, 1969. (Link)

WE RIGHTEOUS BOMBERS (1968)

The play is about a revolutionary unit's plan to eliminate all blacks who fight to stop the insurrectionists from overthrowing the government and the prison hangings that follow. Samuel A. Hay writes that the play paints revolutionaries as slogan-spouting romantics who are totally unprepared for an urban guerrilla war. We Righteous Bombers mocked the black revolutionaries in New York City and forced them to take a hard look at themselves and their activities. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 11 (3f, 8m)

Characters: Madame Perfect, Smith, Foster, Kenneth Burk, Announcer, Guard, Elton “L” Cleveland, Murray Jackson, Bonnie Brown, Sissie Williams, Harrison Banes 

Publication Info: Bullins, Ed. 1969. We Righteous Bombers (Link).

A SON, COME HOME (1968)

Flashbacks in the lives of a black mother and her son whom she hasn't seen in years.

Cast Requirement: 4 (2f, 2m)

Characters: Mother, Son, The Girl, The Boy 

Publication Info: Five Plays: Goin' A Buffalo; In the Wine Time; A Son, Come Home; The Electronic Nigger; Clara's Ole Man. Bobbs-Merrill, 1969. (Link)

Ed Bullins: Twelve Plays & Selected Writings. Edited by Mike Sell. University of Michigan Press, 2006. (Link)

THE CORNER (1968) 

The activities of a group of drinkers on "Liquor St and Wine Ave" come into conflict with the protagonist as he tries a new life-style.

Cast Requirement: 6 (1f, 5m)

Characters: Cliff Dawson, Bummie, Slick, Stella, Blue, Silly Willy Clark

Publication Info: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. Morrow, 1973. (Link)

IN THE WINE TIME (1968) 

Ed Bullins' portrait of three men in a poor neighborhood in the late 1950s grapples with issues of violence, sex, addiction, and the unbreakable cycle of poverty. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 14 (6f, 8m)

Characters: Cliff Dawson, Lou Dawson, Ray, Miss Minny Garrison, Bunny Gillette, Mrs. Krump, Mr. Krump, Eddie Krump, Beatrice, Tiny, Silly Willy Clark, Red, Bama, Doris, Policeman

Publication: Ed Bullins: Twelve Plays & Selected Writings. Edited by Mike Sell. University of Michigan Press, 2006. (Link)

IN NEW ENGLAND WINTER (1969) 

The problems two brothers face as the elder tries to recapture his wife. A continuation of the life of Cliff Dawson, one of the characters from In the Wine Time.

Cast Requirement: 8 (2f, 6m)

Characters: Cliff Dawson, Steve Benson, Chuckie, Bummie, Liz, Oscar, Carrie, Crook

Publication: New Plays from the Black Theatre: An Anthology. Edited by Ed Bullins. Bantam Books, 1969 (Link)

THE AMERICAN FLAG RITUAL (1969) 

Short, one page play, no speaking, about a young man urinating on the American flag.

Cast Requirement: 1 (1m)

Characters: Black Man  
Publication: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. Morrow, 1973. (Link)

THE GENTLEMAN CALLER (1969) 

A black maid shakes off her Aunt Jemima image and murders both her white mistress and master, in the presence of a frightened young Ivy League black man whom her mistress was trying to seduce. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 4 (2f, 2m)

Characters: The Maid, The Gentleman, Madame, Mr. Mann

Publication: A Black Quartet: Four New Black Plays. Edited by Ben Caldwell. New American Library, 1970. (Link)

STATE OFFICE BUILDING CURSE (1969)

Site of the New York State Office Building at 125th Street and 7th Avenue in Harlem.  Crowds attend a public opening and ribbon cutting ceremony, onlookers listen to speeches by politicians and tour the building. Hours later an explosion rips the building apart and a festival begins to celebrate the moment as revolutionary.

Cast Requirement: N/A

Characters: N/A

Publication: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. Morrow, 1973. (Link)

YOU GONNA LET ME TAKE YOU OUT TONIGHT, BABY (1969)

A Black man tries to hustle one of his girlfriend's friends. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 1 (1m)

Characters: Cliff

Publication: Black arts : an anthology of Black creations. Edited by Ahmed Alhamisi and Harun Kofi Wangara. Black Arts Publications, 1969 (Link)

THE DUPLEX: A BLACK LOVE FABLE IN FOUR MOVEMENTS (1970)

Set during the early sixties in a duplex in southern California. This play tells the story of Velma Best's search for completeness, for a love that transcends sex.

Cast Requirement: 12 (5f, 7m)

Characters: Steve Benson, Velma Best, O.D. Best, Marco Polo Henderson, Tootsie Franklin, Montgomery Henderson, Mamma, Pops, Sister Sukie, Wanda, Crook, Marie Horton

Publication: The Duplex: A Black Love Fable in Four Movements. William Morrow and Company, 1971 (Link)*

THE DEVIL CATCHERS (1970) 

A short ritual play to strengthen black consciousness and nationalism.

Cast Requirement: 12 (5f, 7m)

Characters: Oyam, Y/rag, Etevy, Namor, Seniag, Rosar, Retrac, Nahtal, Selim, Aivlis (Eitram), Snave, Yeb

Publication: The Devil Catchers. Alexander Street Press, 2004 (Link)*

DEATH LIST (1970)

A didactic drama about a black militant who plans to assassinate all the Negro leaders who had signed a newspaper ad supporting Israel against the Arabs.

Cast Requirement: 2 (1f, 1m)

Characters: Blackman, Blackwoman

Publication Info: Death List. Alexander Street Press, 2004 (Link)*

THE HELPER (1970) 

A protest satire about a white family who engages the aid of a black man and then demonstrates their ignorance in various ways.

Cast Requirement: 5 (2f, 3m)

Characters: The Helper, Sister, Mother, Buddy, Daddy

Publication Info: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. Morrow, 1973. (Link)

STREET SOUNDS (1970)

In a series of 40 vignettes (many of them monologues), characters reveal themselves and their environment. Self‐styled black heroes, blacks‐hating‐blacks, junkies, flunkies, intellectuals, revolutionaries, a snooty black critic, a pompous black lady poet, groovers, losers, rappers, soul sisters and brothers —all walk Bullins's street. His tone manages to be both coolly ironic and lovingly sympathetic — sometimes seemingly mean, but always caring. He knows these people and he has their number. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 21 (9f, 12m)

Characters: Pigs, Harlem Politician, Dope Seller, Soul Sister, Black Revolutionary Artist, Black Dee Jay, Corner Brother, Lover Man, Mad Dawg, Seduced & Abandoned, Traffic Man, Errand Boy, Scrapbook Dealer, Non-Ideological Niggers, The Bowler, Woman Poet, The Thief, The Liar, Workin’ Man, Fun Lovin’, The Rememberer, The Quitter, The Loved One, The Doubter, The Explainer, The Recluse, The Groover, Wild Chile, Black Critic, The Reconciled, The Virgin, The Loser, Young West Indian Revolutionary Poet, The Genius, The Theorist, Fried Brains, Waiting, The Rapper, Bewildered, Harlem Mother

Publication: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. Morrow, 1973. (Link)

THE PLAY OF THE PLAY (1970)

A performance piece featuring sound, video, speeches, and live music. 

Cast Requirement: N/A

Characters: N/A

Publication: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. William Morrow and Company, 1973. (Link)

THE PIG PEN (1970)

The Pig Pen takes place in California. It is February 1965. It is the night Malcolm X was assassinated. But you do not know that. The name of Malcolm X is mentioned only at the end—yet it was the night, let us–black and white together–face it, the night of the big divide.

Len and Sharon — black boy, white girl, typical of the new swinging world of 1965 —are visited by friends. They have pot, they have wine, they have jazz. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 10 (2f, 8m)

Characters: Ray Crawford, Len Stover, Sharon Stover, Margie, Ernie Butler, Carlos, Mackman, Bobo Carroll, John Carroll, Henry Carroll

Publication: Four Dynamite Plays. William Morrow and Company, 1972 (Link)

THE MAN WHO DUG FISH (1970)

An absurd comedy about a black man who buys a large fish and a shovel and places them in a deposit box at the bank for ten years.  An absurd action taken place in an absurd white world.

Cast Requirement: 4 (4m)

Characters: The Man, Fish Store Clerk, Hardware Clerk, Assistant to the Assistant Manager

Publication Info: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. William Morrow and Company, 1973. (Link)

NIGHT OF THE BEAST (1971)

Revolutionary group combats the forces of police brutality as it attempts to govern its own community.

Cast Requirement: 10

Characters: Brother, Girl, Speaker, Sister, Woman, Leader/1st Revolutionary, 2nd Revolutionary, 3rd Revolutionary, Jamal, Another

Publication: Four Dynamite Plays. William Morrow and Company, 1972 (Link)

THE PSYCHIC PRETENDERS (1971)

A parable that reflects the origins of self and of expression and to project a vision of the future. It indicates that only by returning to one's blackness can blacks thrive.

Cast Requirement: 8 (1f, 7m)

Characters: Mijo, Libo, Rago, Soro, Roto, Tihwo, Pobe, Telle

Publication: City Lights Anthology. Edited by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. City Lights Books, 1974. (Link)

A SHORT PLAY FOR A SMALL THEATRE (1971) 

A black man applies ritual makeup and then shoots each white person in the audience, one by one.

Cast Requirement: 1 (1m)

Characters: Black Man

Publication: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. William Morrow and Company, 1973. (Link)

A MINOR SCENE (1973)

A black man pursues and attempts to pick up a white woman.

Cast Requirement: 2 (1f, 1m)

Characters: Peter Black, Miss Ann

Publication: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. William Morrow and Company, 1973. (Link)

HOUSE PARTY (1973)

A compilation of scenes and people you find in the Black existence. It’s a house party from the 20s to the present. It has militants, politicians, dope sellers, and Harlem mothers. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 33+

Characters: Fried Brains, MC, Soul Sister, Harlem Politician, Dope Seller, Go Go Girl, Corner Brother, Lover Man, Seduced & Abandoned, Scrap Book Keeper, Black Writer, Girlfriend, Woman Poet, Man, Woman, Liar, Thief, Workin’ Man, Fun Lovin’ The Rememberer, The Quitter, Loved One, The Explainer, The Groover, Wild Chile, The Reconciled, Black Critic, The Virgin, Young West Indian Revolutionary, Confused and Lazy, Waiting, The Rapper, Harlem Mother, Singers, Chorus, The Company

Publication: Bullins, Ed. n.d. House Party: A Soulful Happening. New York: American Place Theatre. (Link)

BLACK COMMERCIAL #2 (1973) 

Sketch about two fighting black men who become black brothers.

Cast Requirement: 3+ (3m)

Characters: Rufus, Blue, Crowd, Black Man

Publication: The Theme is Blackness: “The Corner” and Other Plays. William Morrow and Company, 1973. (Link)

MALCOLM ‘71, OR PUBLISHING BLACKNESS (1975)

Mr. Blackman, a black writer and revolutionary, receives an inquiry about publishing from a white girl whose dog is named "Malcolm."

Cast Requirement: 2 (1f, 1m)

Characters: Blackman, Whitegirl

Publication: Ed Bullins: Twelve Plays & Selected Writings. Edited by Mike Sell. University of Michigan Press, 2006. (Link)

THE TAKING OF MISS JANIE (1975)

Bullins's play presents a group of college students who struggle to find their place in society. While some of the characters face the problems of interpersonal relationships, others try to find a viable way to cause social and political change. Everyone begins the decade with hope, energy, and a sense of purpose; however, these qualities are quickly diffused as they each confront their personal responsibility for whatever change comes next. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 9 (4f, 5m)

Characters: Janie, Monty, Peggy, Lonnie, Len, Sharon, Flossy, Rick, Mort Silberstein

Publication: Black Thunder : an anthology of contemporary African-American drama. Mentor, 1992. (Link)

THE MYSTERY OF PHYLLIS WHEATLEY (1976) 

Historical children's musical about the struggle of black and white forces for the soul of the famous poet as she rises to international fame.

Cast Requirement: 7 (3f, 4m)

Characters: Phyllis Wheatley, Lord Africa, John Peters, Captain Diabolical, John Wheatley, Susannah Wheatley, Mary Wheatley 

Publication: New/Lost Plays of Ed Bullins: An Anthology. Edited by Ethel Pitts Walker. That New Publishing Co., 1993. (Link)

JO ANNE!!! (1976)

Jo Anne!!! is a dramatization of the story of Joan Little, the young black prisoner in North Carolina who was accused and acquitted of murdering her white jailer in 1976. Bullins calls the play “a nightmare fantasy of the mind.” (Source)

Cast Requirement: 16 (7f, 9m)

Characters: Activist, Schoolgirl, Townswoman, Lawyer Cane, Maid, Townswoman, Activist, Activist, Woman Traveler, Cabin Dweller, Preacher, Henchman, Guard, All Goode, Dixie, Schoolgirl, Prosecutor, Jo Anne, Reporter, Lawyer Scott, Bailiff Henchman, Matronly Lady, Old Townsman

Publication: Ed Bullins: Twelve Plays & Selected Writings. Edited by Mike Sell. University of Michigan Press, 2006. (Link)

I AM LUCY TERRY (1976)

A historical fantasy for young audiences about Lucy Terry, a young slave poet illegally educated by her mistress, who falls in love and marries Abijah Prince, a free black man.

Cast Requirement: 9+ 

Characters: Lucy Terry, Jinny Cole, Abijah Prince, Reverend Ashley, Indian #1, Indian #2, Indian #3, Indian #4, Indian #5, Indians of the Abenaki War Party

Publication: New/Lost Plays of Ed Bullins: An Anthology. Edited by Ethel Pitts Walker. That New Publishing Company, 1993 (Link)

HOME BOY (1976)

Two southern black men plan to emigrate to the North. One does, but both are victims, survivors and casualties of the America of the 1950s and 1960s.

Cast Requirement: 9 (5f, 4m)

Characters: Jody 1, Dude 1, Jody 2, Dude 2, Jody 3, Dude 3, May Lee, Emma, Aunt Tess, The Narrator, Uncle Clyde, Female Presence 1, Female Presence 2

Publication: Home Boy. Alexander Street Press, 2004. (Link)*

DADDY, OR THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1977) 

Domestic drama about a father who returns to the family he had abandoned and attempts to make amends for his neglect.

Cast Requirement: 9 (4f, 5m)

Characters: Michael Brown, Debra Brown, Nikie Brown, Michael Jr., Danny Brown, Candy, Jackie Brown, Carter, Bennie

Publication: Daddy, or The Prince of Darkness. Alexander Street Press, 2004. (Link)*

STORYVILLE: A JAZZY MUSICAL OF OLD NEW ORLEANS (1977)

A rousing musical set in 1917 New Orleans, Storyville is a tale of love and jazz music. When a notorious prize fight sends New Orleans’ musicians, bands and entertainers “rollin' up the river” to the North, jazz becomes America's musical gift to the world. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 12 (6f, 6m)

Characters: Big Mama, Hot Licks Sam, Punchie Savoy, Mickey P. Mulligan, Butch “Cobra” Brown, Fifi, Tanya, Texas, Tango Rose, Franky, Tigre Savoy, Baron De Frontbleau

Publication: Storyville. Samuel French, 2006. (Link)

C’MON BACK TO HEAVENLY HOUSE (1977)

C’mon Back to Heavenly House tells the story of Roy, a new hospital relief clerk, who unintentionally exposes the deceit of four of his coworkers. (Source) 

Cast Requirement: 9 (5f, 4m)

Characters: Roy Jones, Dorothy, Robert Jefferson, Miss Lucy Brown, Elma Mae, Mr. Jason, Queenie, Mrs. Odell, Donald

Publication: C’mon Back to Heavenly House. Alexander Street Press, 2004. (Link)*

SEPIA STAR, OR CHOCOLATE COMES TO THE COTTON CLUB (1977)

Sepia Star tells the story of the aspiring singer/dancer Star Mae Baker. A poet, she meets the pre-law student Jason at a coffee house in New York City. Although she falls in love with him, she allows her mother, Ruby to manipulate her into rejecting Jason for an offer to sing and dance with Ramon, a hustler-cum-performer. Ramon uses Star’s talent to advance his career. Ruby eventually sabotages that relationship in order to advance Star’s career, which rises to make her a smash hit as a solo performer in Las Vegas. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 6+ (4f, 2m)

Characters: Star Mae Baker, Dee Dee, Cindy, Ruby Mae Baker, Marshall, Jason, Others

Publication: Sepia Star, or Chocolate Comes to the Cotton Club. Alexander Street Press, 2005. (Link)*

BLACKLIST: A NEW PLAY OF THE EIGHTIES (1982)

A partly autobiographical look at how betrayals and bans almost destroy a playwright. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 5 (1f, 4m)

Characters: Art, Willie, Kitty, Dean Mack, Ben Kopek

Publication: Blacklist. Alexander Street Press, 2005. (Link)*

CITY PREACHER (1984)

City Preacher loosely uses the life of Reverend Adam Clayton Powell Jr. to pose questions concerning deceiving oneself in order to avoid having to give up the good life. The well-off Aaron Jackson Price Jr. deceives himself into believing that he can escape his calling to replace his father, the pastor of the family church. Aaron answers God’s call only after he loses his father and sister. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 22 (7f, 15m)

Characters: Aaron, Beth, Mother Price, Reverend Price, Johnny, Ruby, Bob Daniels, Floyd Yancey, Ida, Gypsy, Miss Lil, Waitress, Panhandler, Thief, British Gentleman, Veteran Policeman, Clerk, Panhandler, Francois Previn, Policeman, Bartender, Panhandler

Publication: New/Lost Plays of Ed Bullins: An Anthology. Edited by Ethel Pitts Walker. That New Publishing Company, 1993. (Link)

HIGH JOHN DA CONQUEROR (1985) 

Adapted partly from the works of anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston and the folklorist Julius Lester, the play tells the story of how High John outfoxes his Massa in order to avenge the terrorism of past and present slavery. High John realizes that the roots of slavery are power and money. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 7 (2f, 5m)

Characters: Uncle T, Mama Ju Ju, High John, Tim, Massa, White Man, Young Girl

Publication: New/Lost Plays of Ed Bullins: An Anthology. Edited by Ethel Pitts Walker. That New Publishing Co., 1993. (Link)

DR. GEECHEE AND THE BLOOD JUNKIES (1986) 

A kind of allegory for the crack epidemic–a long-form exploration of the metaphor of addict as violent zombie. It takes the elements of Shaft and parodies of ‘90s media like CourtTV and movie announcements to form a pastiche of criticism of mainstream media representations of addiction and race. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 24+ (10f, 14m)

Characters: Tanya, Ms. Reporter, Vito, Baker, Party Girl, Dandy Man, Reggie, Stewardess, Cheeta, Preachers, Mama Rhea, Carol Lee, Cook, Mourner, Reverend Hoopes, Dream Tanya, Gregory, Dancing Woman, Dr. Whitlaw, Old Blackman, Stole Trooper, Door Man, Street Pusher, Prostitute, Blood Junkie

Publication: Dr. Geechee and the Blood Junkies. Alexander Street Press, 2005. (Link)*

A SUNDAY AFTERNOON (1987)

The play tells the story of Jake Robinson, the kind of football fanatic who watches three games on a Sunday afternoon. He presides over these viewings with family members and buddies. He looks at little else, especially not the games between his wife, Lora, and his white buddy, Nick, who is the route inspector for the city bus transit, where Jake also works. Jake makes his not knowing so disturbingly obvious that his father-in-law Arthur shoots out the television set between games. Jake then throws out everybody. Alone, he watches the third game. (Source)

Cast Requirement: 8 (2f, 6m)

Characters: Jake Robinson, Lora Robinson, Jeri Robinson, Walter Lee, Nick Cobb, Arnie Moore, Arthur Sweets, Chris Needles

Publication: A Sunday Afternoon. Alexander Street Press, 2005. (Link)*

BOY X MAN (1995) 

The play chronicles the life of Ernie, a middle-aged African American from Philadelphia who is thinking over his life. From his earliest memory, that of his “rebirth” in the hospital room, to his most recent as a grown man, Ernie's stories tell of both the happiest and saddest incidents of his life. All are crucial to his growth into manhood. (Source)*

Cast Requirement: 6 (3f, 3m)

Characters: Preacher/Man, Ernie/Mature Ernie, Brenda, Will, Barb, Sophia

Publication: Boy x Man. Alexander Street Press, 2004. (Link)*

A TEN-MINUTE PLAY (2001) 

A woman enters a Harlem Starbucks to conduct some “21st Century Ethnic Research.” She comes across two hustlers, Shady and Crafty.  

Cast Requirement: 3 (1f, 2m)

Characters: Shady Blackman, Crafty Blackman, Sissy Blackwoman

Publication: A Ten-Minute Play. Alexander Street Press, 2005. (Link)*

THAT DAY (2002)

A polyperspectival look at the loved ones of those affected by the September 11th attacks in New York City. 

Cast Requirement: 3 (1f, 2m)

Characters: Man 1, Man 2, Woman

Publication: That Day. Alexander Street Press, 2005. (Link)*

SPACES (2004)

Spaces is a short play following a cast of elders grappling with their own minds. One may be sleepwalking. Another dreams of a white woman USPS worker. Still another clamors for a biscuit with molasses.

Cast Requirement: 6 (4f, 2m)

Characters: Mable, Maude, Cassius, Constance, Old Man, Old Woman

Publication: Spaces. Alexander Street Press, 2004. (Link)*

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