Trouble in Mind: Selah Theatre Project

Trouble In Mind
by Alice Childress

Starring Joanne Thompson, Will Speakman, Jon Conard, Sarah Downs, Jasper Alex Lane, Eric Lee Santiful, Jacob Reed, Jacob Pugh, and Kurt Hoffman.

Stage Managed by Alissa Smith

A talented and experienced Black actress has been cast in Chaos in Belleville, an anti-lynching play set to open on Broadway. She’s paid her dues throughout the years, playing stereotypical supporting roles in second-rate shows, and is ready for her star turn. Chaos in Belleville, written by a white playwright, might not be quite as enlightened a piece as she’s been hoping for — but that doesn’t mean it won’t sell out. And selling out is the question at the heart of Alice Childress’s comedy-drama. A cast of multigenerational Black actors rehearse under the purview of a white director and stage manager, and as the rehearsal process unfolds, theatre conventions and racial politics collide, resulting in a surprisingly funny yet deeply piercing look at the entertainment industry.

Tickets available at selahtheatreproject.org/troubleinmind