synopses of the plays
Flyin’ West (1992)
Set in Nicodemus Kansas in 1898, this is an inspiring story of African American pioneers in the American West. A warm humor filled family saga, it illuminates the rich history of a group of black homesteaders and explores the unique challenges they faced as pioneer women. Following the 1992 premiere of the play in Atlanta at the Alliance Theatre, under the direction of Kenny Leon, Flyin’ West was the most produced new play in the country in 1994.
Blues for an Alabama Sky (1995)
Set in Harlem in 1930, the play introduces a rich group of characters, scrambling to survive the depression and make some sense of their overlapping love lives. It premiered at The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta starring Phylicia Rashad, directed by Kenny Leon.
Bourbon at the Border (1997)
Two Civil Rights workers whose lives were forever changed by the violence of one Mississippi summer struggle to adjust to life thirty years after their dream of freedom turned into a nightmare.The play premiered at The Alliance Theatre under the direction of Kenny Leon.
Late Bus to Mecca (1992)
This two character play explores the relationship of two women who meet in the bus station and find their lives suddenly joined in unexpected ways. The play was commissioned and developed by the Women’s Project & Productions and the Southeast Playwright’s Project of Atlanta. It premiered at the Judith Anderson Theatre in New York City.
Chain (1992)
This one character play presents Rosa, a sixteen year old crack addict, whose parents have chained her inside the house in a desperate attempt to keep her away from drugs. It was commissioned and produced in conjunction with Late Bus to Mecca at the Judith Anderson Theatre in New York City.
A Song for Coretta (2007)
Inspired by the long line of mourners who came by Ebenezer Baptist Church to pay their respects to Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the play introduces five fictional African American women, aged 17 to 57, waiting in the rain to say their good-bys. The play premiered at Spelman College in 2007 under the direction of Cyrstal Dickinson.The Love Project (2007)
by Pearl Cleage and Zaron W. Burnett, Jr., in collaboration with West Coast performance artists Idris Ackamoor and Rhodessa Jones of Cultural Odyssey, explores aspects of love, and is performed with music by Ackamoor and Jones.