A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

It Bees Dat Way

Short Play, Drama  /  2w, 1m, 3any gender (adult)

Ed Bullins

In Ed Bullins' short play, designed to be performed to a predominantly white audience, six characters interrogate and antagonize the audience, forcing them to confront
what is left after individuals are stereotyped by race-based violence.

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It Bees Dat Way

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 1m, 3any gender (adult)
  • Duration
    Duration
    10 minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
On a Harlem street corner, musicians are concealed from the audience in the space behind a scrim or false wall. The play is meant to be performed to a predominantly white audience. The plays' six characters interrogate the audience and improvise violent acts until the audience leaves. Ultimately, It Bees Dat Way forces the audience to confront what is left after individuals are stereotyped by race-based violence.
History
It Bees Day Way was first produced in 1970 at the Ambience Lunch Hour Theatre Club in London, England.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups

JACKIE – Forty-five. A bleary-eyed, drunken Black woman.
POPPY – Mid-twenties. A Junkie. Black.
OUTLAW – Mid-teens or younger. Husky and athletic. Black.
TRIGGER – Late teens. About the same size as OUTLAW, though thinner. Black.
CORNY – Early forties. Knows more than his appearance shows. Drunk. Black.
SISTER – Early twenties. A tender, first look about her. Black.

  • Time Period 1970s
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Duration 10 minutes

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $65 per performance


    This title is available for Licensing Only.

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Authors

Ed Bullins

Ed Bullins

Ed Bullins (1935-2021) was an African American playwright and author whose professional playwriting career began in 1965 with the production of How Do You Do, Dialect Determinism (or The Rally), and Clara's Ole Man at the Firehouse Repertory Theatre in San Francisco. He later ...

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