A Reading by Definition Theatre

A Song For Coretta

by Pearl Cleage
directed by
Malkia Stampley

Thursday October 12, 2023
at Experimental Station
6100 S Blackstone Ave, Chicago IL

As part of Goodman Theatre’s 2023 Pearl Cleage Festival in partnership with Goodman Theatre and the Experimental Station.


About

On February 6, 2006, the community lined up outside Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church to pay their respects to the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. By mid-morning the crowd wound down the street, while people of all ages stood patiently for hours—waiting to say their goodbyes. When a cold rain begins to fall at sunset, those brought umbrellas shared with those around them. Yet by nearly midnight, the crowd had dwindled to a determined few. This is the story of the five mourners at the end of that days-long line.


Artists

Zora — Jasmine Cheri Rush
Helen — TayLar
Mona Lisa — Tia Jemison
Keisha — Ashli Funches
Gwen — Martasia Jones*


Production

Stage ManagerAriel Beller*
Front of House ManagerAlexandra Oparka*

* Definition Ensemble Member

 


Goodman Theatre’s
Pearl Cleage Festival

September 19-October 15, 2023

With honors from the New York Times (Best Seller) to the NAACP (Image Award) to Oprah’s Book Club, distinguished playwright/poet Pearl Cleage brings to vivid life the joys and sorrows of Black womanhood in 20th century America. Now, Chicago celebrates the depth and breadth of work by Atlanta’s Poet Laureate with a first-ever citywide festival, featuring the centerpiece production The Nacirema Society, directed by Lili-Anne Brown at Goodman Theatre, plus concurrent events with Black Ensemble Theatre, Congo Square, Definition Theatre, ETA Creative Arts Foundation, MPAACT, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company and more.

Learn more about the festival


Questions? info@definitiontheatre.org


In partnership with

Experimental Station: Building independent cultural infrastructure