About the Project
In Big Man’s narrative we witness the impact of generational poverty and crime.
Big Man is a warm hearted young man trying to escape a home life of poverty and
crime. Joshua Thomas Northington III is an upper middle class young man seduced
by false images of blackness and through him we glimpse the insidious effects of
sibling jealousy; Darron is a closeted black gay man who represents the hope
for the next generation of his deeply religious family. Marcy is a biracial
young woman trying to make sense of code switching that makes her life bearable
and at the same time intolerable. The overarching theme that links these
vignettes is the message that to be Black & 25 in America is to be invisible and
without voice. Gillett presents each narrative with passion and a pitch perfect
voice for the pain, confusion, and hope that emerges from each character’s
narrative. I invite you to watch a reel of Black & 25 in America.
https://vimeo.com/79824912
A unique feature of the show is the unscripted conversation with the actor and
playwright following the performance. This is an opportunity for the audience
to unpack the actor’s choices and the powerful issues which often connect with
the lived experiences of the audience members. This exchange between
actor/playwright and audience has proven in the past to be a helpful means of
processing and exploring tough issues raised in the show.
Learn More at blackand25.com
Production Team
