Hooded; Or Being Black for Dummies (2018)
October 20 - November 17, 2018
produced by First Floor Theater, in residence at the Den Theatre, Chicago IL
https://www.firstfloortheater.com/hooded
I created the projection design for the Chicago premiere of Hooded; Or Being Black for Dummies by Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm, directed by Mikael Burke. This video design featured two projectors, a live video feed, projected imagery, and a variety of text-based projections created in collaboration with graphic designer Alicia Gaines.
Marquis and Tru are both fourteen year old black boys, but they exist in two totally different worlds. Marquis is a book smart prep-schooler living in the affluent suburb of Achievement Heights; while Tru is a street savvy kid from deep within the inner city of Baltimore. Their worlds overlap one day in a holding cell. Tru decides that Marquis has lost his “blackness” and pens a how-to manual entitled “Being Black for Dummies.” He assumes the role of professor, but Marquis proves to be a reluctant pupil. They butt heads, debate, wrestle, and ultimately prove that Nietzsche and 2pac were basically saying the same thing.
The projection design was created in dialogue with Lighting Designer Eric Watkins, Scenic Designer Sotirios Livaditis, and Sound Designer Grover Holloway. Stage Manager Kayla Menz, Production Manager Cole von Glahn, Technical Director Bobby Huggins, and FFT Managing Director Amanda Fink were also all of great help in the installation, troubleshooting, and operating of this design. This production featured performances by Andrew Cutler, Jalen Gilbert, Caroline Hendricks, Jayson Lee, Casey Morris, Brian Nelson Jr., Lauren Pizzi Montgomery, and Maggie Scrantom.
Press:
https://www.newcitystage.com/2018/10/31/all-eyes-on-he-a-review-of-hooded-or-being-black-for-dummies-at-first-floor-theater/
http://chicagotheaterbeat.com/2018/10/28/hooded-or-being-black-for-dummies-review-first-floor-theater/
https://www.picturethispost.com/first-floor-theater-hooded-or-being-black-for-dummies/