Apologies to Lorraine Hansberry (Yale Drama Series)

By: Rachel Lynett

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Synopsis: The 2021 winner of the Yale Drama Series prize explores &“Blackness&” and the reasons why joy and peace might be harder to get than we think &“A taut examination of the impact of racism in a future African American state. With a metatheatrical playfulness and a direct inclusion of actors and audience alike, Rachel Lynett&’s play exposes the many layers to the notion of race in order to awaken us.&” —Paula Vogel What does it mean to be safe when you&’re a person of color in the United States? If you were given the chance to leave and create a utopia, would you? Is utopia possible with all of our subconscious bias? Rachel Lynett&’s highly satirical and funny play is set in the fictional world following a second Civil War. Bronx Bay, an all-Black state (and neighborhood), is established in order to protect &“Blackness.&” When Jules&’s new partner, Yael, moves into town, community members argue over whether Yael, who is Dominican, can stay. Questions of safety and protection surround both Jules and Yael as the utopia of Bronx Bay confronts within itself where the line is when it comes to defining who is Black and who gets left out in the process. The play is the fourteenth winner of the Yale Drama Series prize and the first one chosen by the Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Paula Vogel.